The UK’s Centre for Public Interest Audit (CPIA), a research and policy institute, has appointed Dean Beale as its new executive director, effective 13 May 2025.
The appointment follows Beale’s more than 25 years in the civil service, specialising in the insolvency sector.
Beale most recently served as chief executive and inspector general of the UK’s Insolvency Service.
In this role, he led initiatives to enhance corporate governance and address financial misconduct.
His leadership included overseeing policy development, regulating the sector, and managing high-profile insolvency cases such as British Steel and Thomas Cook.
Beale said: “I am excited to join the CPIA at this pivotal moment with significant audit reforms on the horizon. I look forward to working closely with Baroness Ford, our members, the regulator, and wider stakeholders to promote a resilient and trusted audit profession – one that holds integrity, transparency and accountability at its core.”
CPIA chair Baroness Margaret Ford said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Dean to the CPIA as he takes the lead in driving quality, resilience, and trust in the auditing of some of the UK’s most systemically important companies.
“The importance of public interest entities and the value of audit must remain a priority for the UK as a leading capital market. Securing such a high calibre, experienced executive to lead the CPIA and engender real change is truly fantastic.”
This move comes after a CPIA report revealed that one-third of audit committee chairs, 21% of investors, and 16% of finance directors are worried regarding auditors’ ability to detect financial distress and going concern issues last year.
The CPIA aims to unite leaders from across the profession as a single, independent voice, advocating for reform and shaping best practices in UK public interest entity (PIE) audits.
Through research, policy recommendations, and collaboration with stakeholders, the CPIA seeks to strengthen audit resilience, boost market confidence, and ensure audit’s central role in financial stability and corporate accountability.
