MBIE announces External Reporting Board appointments

Mr Kensington is Financial Services Audit Partner at KPMG in Auckland with extensive experience in auditing across a broad range of commercial services and a strong background in financial performance and reporting.

His term as Chair will run from 11 August 2025 until 28 August 2027. Mr Kensington has been on the XRB Board since 2017. He takes over from Michele Embling, who is retiring from the Board after 6 years as Chair and 14 years as a board member. 

Mr Kensington has served as Deputy Chair of the New Zealand Auditing and Assurance Board and has made a major contribution to the development and communication of auditing standards in New Zealand.

MBIE also confirmed the appointment of Jacqueline Cheyne as XRB Deputy Chair. Ms Cheyne was first appointed to the Board in 2019. She is a company director with significant expertise in financial and non-financial reporting. Her term as Deputy Chair will run from 11 August 2025 until 30 April 2029.

Ms Cheyne was formerly a partner at Deloitte New Zealand and is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. Her experience in non-financial reporting in particular provides relevant knowledge to the XRB.

The XRB is an independent Crown entity responsible for developing and issuing accounting, auditing and assurance, and climate standards in New Zealand. The Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs recommends XRB Board members for appointment by the Governor-General.