A new chief executive at the Government Internal Audit Agency

Paul Wallek has joined the Government Internal Audit Agency (GIAA) as its new chief executive.

Paul takes up the role following a 30-year career at Ernst & Young (EY) delivering external audits across a range of sectors, with a particular specialism in the energy sector. Most recently, as an Audit Partner, he has been responsible for signing audit opinions for large and high-risk clients.

His appointment follows the departure of the Agency's previous chief executive, Harriet Aldridge who took up a post at the Cabinet Office earlier this year. In the meantime, Andy Brittain has served as the Agency's interim chief executive.

Beth Russell, Second Permanent Secretary to HM Treasury said:

I am delighted to welcome Paul to the GIAA and to government. He joins a strong and stable organisation that, following its recent External Quality Assessment success, remains focussed on continuous improvement. Paul will be leading an Agency that embraces the potential of new technologies and increasing levels of insight to provide assurance that public funds are used wisely, efficiently and effectively.

Paul Wallek, the new chief executive said:

I am hugely excited at making the move from the private sector to government and the opportunity to lead the GIAA. I look forward to driving the GIAA strategy forward and bringing to the Agency all that I have learnt over the past 30 years delivering audits across a range of sectors.

About the GIAA

The GIAA is an executive Agency of HM Treasury, working across the UK government to provide internal audit and counter fraud services for central government departments and related arm's length bodies. As the government's primary provider of internal audit services, the Agency leads both the government internal audit profession and internal audit function.