UK CEO at KPMG: From Serving Pints to Becoming Partner

Episode Guest: Jon Holt is the UK CEO of KPMG, where he leads a team of over 25,000 professionals. With more than 30 years at the firm, Jon brings a reflective, values-led approach to leadership. ‪@KPMGUKCareers‬ Episode Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction – Jon Holt joins My Duvet Flip 1:28 Starting out washing dishes in a Yorkshire pub 3:10 What Jon learned behind the bar 4:42 Advice to young Jon: try everything, especially work experience 6:20 Why accountancy beat law for Jon 7:35 Do what you enjoy – or go do something else 9:10 Getting early career advice – and learning to stay 10:52 From Wakefield to KPMG partner 12:15 The value of diverse work experience 13:36 When to leave a job and when to double down 15:00 Investing young – Jon’s biggest financial regret 16:30 How to spot good vs bad career advice 18:00 Feedback fear & learning from failure 20:15 What makes a great future accountant? 22:10 Curiosity in the age of echo chambers 24:00 Tips for building a curious mindset 25:45 Kindness and culture at KPMG 27:10 What it really takes to become a partner 28:50 The loneliness of leadership – and why outside mentors matter 30:10 Everyone’s the CEO of their own life 31:25 Why the journey matters more than the destination 33:00 The myth of enjoying success without earning it 34:20 Life after KPMG – Jon’s future beyond the firm 35:48 Final lessons from 30 years at the top 37:00 What flips Jon’s duvet every morning 38:25 Jack’s closing reflections on kindness, culture & leadership Episode Partners ✈️ easyJet Explore exciting career opportunities at easyJet, one of Europe’s leading airlines. Whether you're passionate about aviation, customer service, engineering, or corporate roles, easyJet offers a dynamic work environment focused on innovation and growth. https://bit.ly/3yCRlNS 📊 Compare the Market Discover how you can make a difference at Compare the Market, the company behind one of the UK’s most popular comparison sites. From tech and data to marketing and operations, they’re on a mission to simplify decisions for millions. https://bit.ly/4i53Svj Disclaimer: The content provided on Duvet Flip is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts, guests, brands or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the show's producers, sponsors, or affiliates. The information shared is not a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to career counseling, financial guidance, legal consultation, or mental health support. Listeners and viewers are responsible for their own decisions and actions based on the content provided, and Duvet Flip assumes no liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information shared. By engaging with the show, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer. If you’re struggling with debt, trusted advice and free support can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/debt-advice If you’re struggling with mental health of any kind, you can find free support here: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/