Kreston Global appoints new Director of Quality and Professional Standards

March 18, 2025

Kreston Global today announces the appointment of David Smith as Director of Quality and Professional Standards.

David brings extensive experience in audit approach and technology design and implementation, quality management systems, monitoring, technical support and training. He joins Kreston Global on 1 July from Azets where he was UK Head of Audit Quality & Technical and a member of their audit senior leadership team for 5 years. In this role he was in charge of quality frameworks and monitoring, training and providing support resources to ensure audit teams met standards when performing high quality, risk focussed audit and assurance engagements.

Prior to Azets, David was a member of the senior leadership team at Mercia, a UK accounting training and knowledge provider, where he ran their methodology and compliance products division, and provided technical consultancy, monitoring services and training to firms and networks of all sizes. David previously worked as an audit practitioner at Grant Thornton for six years following qualification.

David is a thought leader in the profession, actively participating in various committees and working groups at ICAEW and other bodies. He has authored numerous professional body technical releases, consultation responses, assurance and accounting guidance, and articles.

Liza Robbins, Chief Executive of Kreston Global said:

“I am delighted to welcome David as Director of Quality and Professional Standards for the Kreston network. We are very focussed on both high standards and supporting our firms to continuously deliver top quality audit work which we put at the heart of our network.  I’m very pleased to have such a strong exponent of technical excellence in David and am very much looking forward to working with him and the regional audit leads to ensure we remain true to this critical core skill.“

David Smith added:

“I am thrilled to be joining Kreston Global at such an exciting time of growth and opportunity for the network.  With the changing face of regulation and reporting, and the continued evolution of the ways we leverage technology in the services we provide, the drive to collaborate and share knowledge and innovation across our network has never been greater.  I’m very much looking forward to working with Liza and the Kreston Global central team, the Kreston Quality Group and the Global Audit Group, and am eager to meet and work with our member firms as we strive to promote a positive impact worldwide and deliver increasing levels of excellence to our clients.”