RSM Australia’s Chief Executive Partner Jamie O’Rourke is retiring after 34 years at RSM, including the last 9 years as CEP. Melbourne-based board director and audit partner, Robert Miano, has been elected to commence as Chief Executive Partner from 1 July 2025.  

Mr Miano, a former Managing Partner of RSM’s Melbourne office, is the first auditor and first Melbourne-based partner to be elected by his national peers as RSM’s Chief Executive Partner. 

He becomes the eighth person to lead RSM in the firm’s 103-year history, reflecting RSM’s longevity of staff and partner tenure.

Mr Miano has more than 25 years’ experience with local and international, private, publicly listed and not for profit organisations in audit and corporate advisory work.

He takes over the driver’s seat to deliver RSM’s 2030 strategy, Taking Charge of Change.

Mr Miano paid tribute to Mr O’Rourke for driving real and sustained growth across the firm, leading RSM’s transition to a strong firm in all states and capital city markets while maintaining a strong emphasis on regional Australia.

“Jamie has been a fantastic leader for the firm. During his tenure we have grown considerably to become more diverse and with a true national presence, with many new service offerings including R&D Tax, cybersecurity, data analytics, ERP consulting and ESG,” Mr Miano said.

“He has championed good strategic calls on technology – including AI, robotics and automation – and embedding offshored staff within our teams, and the benefits are flowing through our practice.

“He has also invested strongly in our people and I’m passionate about continuing this. Our people are our most important asset and it’s a priority to provide a great work environment and true career paths for all.”

Mr Miano joined RSM in 2003, as an audit partner based in Melbourne, through an acquisition and has been an elected member of RSM’s national executive board since 2014.

He was one of RSM’s first partners to attend the Harvard Business School Leading Professional Services Firms course, in 2011, along with Mr O’Rourke. He was RSM’s Office Managing Partner in Melbourne from 2006 to 2014.

First choice for Australia’s middle market

Outgoing Chief Executive Partner, Mr O’Rourke, said RSM’s strength lies in delivering solutions to the middle market.

“Our aim is to be the first-choice advisor for Australia’s middle market businesses, not number five of any Big Five. We are doing this by delivering innovative solutions, lasting value and an exceptional experience for our clients. We build connections with clients by listening to their needs and demonstrating expertise in the industries in which they operate,” Mr O’Rourke said.

“Our partners have been focused on organic growth, enjoying an increase in revenue over the past 10 years of 150%. During this time, we have improved our ranking from 9th to 7th in Australia with revenue now exceeding $400m. The feedback from clients through independent surveys such as the Client Choice Awards has allowed RSM to maintain the number 1 ranking for the past 6 years.

“We’re also incredibly proud of the progress in making RSM a great place to work and especially our focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Creating a truly inclusive workplace has required our leaders to understand the associated benefits for all and being aware of the unconscious biases which exist in our everyday lives.  

“We’ve moved the dial on our senior female leadership representation significantly, from 8% in 2016 to 27% today, through a genuine investment in our talent pipeline which will continue to position us well in the future.  While there’s always more to do, we remain dedicated to fostering an environment where everyone can thrive,” he said.

Mr O’Rourke said Mr Miano was an excellent choice to guide RSM’s 2030 strategy, which includes the exciting goals of reaching 2030 with 3000 people, 355 partners and directors and increasing revenue to more than $700m.

“Whilst we continue to grow across all areas, our regional footprint is unique and is integral to our national identity,” Mr O’Rourke said.

“RSM’s strong presence in regional Australia combining with diverse specialist services in the capital cities, provides a unique and real perspective on the pain points experienced by businesses across the country.”

Mr O’Rourke started his 34-year career in RSM’s Goulburn office moving to Sydney in 1997 where he held the role of Office Managing Partner from 2009 to 2012 before being elected to the national board in 2013. In 2016, he was elected Chief Executive Partner, leading RSM through a period of great growth and change, including managing the disruption and challenges of the pandemic.

“I became a partner at the firm 24 years ago, and during this time I have seen extraordinary growth and enormous change across our national practice. I am proud of what our people have achieved in always delivering exceptional and innovative client solutions. Our national success over recent years is a result of many things including our digital mindset, our strong collaborative culture and our highly engaged workforce,” he said.

Background on Robert Miano, RSM’s incoming Chief Executive Partner

  • Joined the firm in 2003 as part of a merger
  • There were only 40 partners – now there are 149
  • RSM’s first CEP who did not start his career with the firm
  • Elected national board member in 2014, overseeing the firm’s national management structures and strategy - part of the leadership team delivering the past three cycles of strategic planning for RSM
  • First audit partner appointed to RSM’s CEP role – all previous leaders have been from a business advisory background
  • First Melbourne-based partner elected to the CEP role. Outgoing CEP Jamie O’Rourke, based in Sydney, was the first CEP to be based outside of Western Australia, the state where the firm was founded in 1922

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