A Message from the CE: A Landmark Year of Growth, Strength, and Global Expansion at Kreston Global

As we move into 2026, I am delighted to share an important update on Kreston Global’s progress, performance, and future direction. This past year has been one of profound growth for our network — growth that is deeply connected to our ongoing commitment to support clients with high quality, internationally coordinated audit, tax, and advisory services. It has also been a year in which more independent firms than ever before have chosen to join our network, further strengthening our presence in key global markets and expanding the expertise available to you. 

The business environment in which we all operate continues to evolve quickly: markets are shifting, regulation is becoming more complex, and cross border commerce is growing at speed. Kreston Global’s purpose is and has been for some time to connect ambitious entrepreneurial businesses for positive impact around the world, and now more than ever clients need advisers who combine global capability with a pragmatic understanding of local conditions. You need firms that are agile, able to respond to complexity, support expansion, and provide clarity when the path ahead may not always be straightforward.

This is the role Kreston Global strives to play — and I am proud to share that our network is now stronger, more connected, and more internationally aligned than at any point in our history.

Exceptional Global Growth and Performance

Kreston Global has reported a 39% increase in network revenues, taking our combined total to US$4.3bn. This is one of the strongest growth periods we have ever achieved, reflecting both the ambition of our member firms and the trust that clients place in us to support their businesses across borders.

Growth has been balanced and encouraging across all major regions:

• North America saw an outstanding 72% increase, fuelled by significant acquisition activity.
• The Middle East achieved 28% growth, reflecting rising demand in one of the world’s most dynamic regional economies.
• Latin America delivered 13% growth, supported by greater regional cooperation and specialist service expansion.
• Europe, our largest regional base, grew by 7%, demonstrating stability in a complex market and continued commitment to client service excellence.

These results reflect the dedication of our firms to strengthening their capabilities, investing in new areas of expertise, and working together to support increasingly international client needs.

But financial performance is only one part of the story. The other — equally important — is how and where our network is growing.

The Strongest Expansion of New Firms in Our History

One of the most significant developments of 2026 has been the unprecedented number of high quality firms seeking to join Kreston Global. This year, we have already welcomed new member firms in Afghanistan, Armenia, and Nepal. These new additions enhance our presence across South Asia, Central Asia, and the Caucasus region, and strengthen our ability to support clients operating or investing in these growing economic centres.

Beyond the firms already admitted, we have 12 more firms in the membership pipeline: France, India, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Oman, Vietnam, and Yemen. Further conversations across additional markets remain active.

This pipeline represents the single largest wave of membership interest since the network was founded. More importantly for clients and stakeholders, each of these incoming firms brings a strong local reputation, deep domestic expertise, and a commitment to the same high standards of service and professionalism that define Kreston globally.

For our clients, this expansion means broader global coverage, easier access to specialist knowledge, and an even stronger network ready to support cross border growth.

Why Leading Firms Are Choosing Kreston Global

The rapid influx of new firms is no coincidence. It reflects a clear shift in how the global market perceives Kreston Global — not only as a network with a strong heritage, but as one evolving rapidly to meet modern, international business needs. When speaking with prospective member firms, several consistent themes emerge.

A Network with a Clear Commercial Focus

Kreston has invested significantly in becoming a commercially focused, client centric global network. Many of the businesses our firms serve are becoming larger, more internationally active, and more complex in their structures. They require professional advisers with the capability to support major cross border engagements without losing the agility and personal connection that define independent firms.

Our new initiatives around larger international clients reflect this evolution. They allow firms across multiple jurisdictions to collaborate more seamlessly, coordinate audits and advisory work efficiently, and support the needs of international clients proactively and consistently.

Firms in our network are now substantially investing in AI, automation, digital asset and cybersecurity expertise to meet the challenge faced by clients and advisers alike to harness technology effectively for everyone’s benefit. Sharing the knowledge and insight we have in these is very important. This approach has become a major attraction for firms looking to join a global network that understands and responds to client expectations in today’s global marketplace.

Forum of Firms Recognition: A Badge of Quality

Kreston Global’s membership of the Forum of Firms—an international association committed to promoting consistent, high quality audit practices worldwide—has become another strong factor in our growing appeal.

For clients, this recognition is highly meaningful. It provides reassurance that:

• our firms comply with internationally recognised audit quality standards;
• our methodologies, ethics, and oversight align with global expectations;
• our network can support tenders and regulated entities requiring globally consistent assurance.

For member firms, this recognition enhances credibility with clients, regulators, banks, and international partners. For clients, it provides a level of professionalism and governance that is increasingly required in complex, cross border environments.

Independence with Global Reach

Perhaps the aspect of Kreston most valued by both clients and member firms is our ability to provide global reach while preserving local independence.

Clients benefit from:

• advisers deeply immersed in their own markets;
• senior partner attention and personalised service;
• solutions grounded in real local insight;
• access to specialists across more than 110 countries.

At the same time, firms retain the autonomy that allows them to deliver considered, entrepreneurial, and culturally informed advice — qualities that clients consistently tell us they value most.

This combination — independence with coordinated global support — sits at the heart of Kreston Global’s identity and is a key driver of our growth.

Investing in the Capabilities That Matter

As our network expands, we continue to focus on areas that directly enhance support for clients and stakeholders. These include:

• advancements in digital audit technology and data analytics,
• talent development, with a focus on future ready skills and leadership,
• cross border collaborative tools and platforms,
• sector specific expertise, enabling firms to offer deeper industry knowledge.

These pillars not only support the work we deliver today but also position us strongly for the evolving needs of tomorrow.

Looking Ahead: A Network Built for the Future

As we welcome new firms, expand our footprint, and deepen our specialist capabilities, our direction is clear: Kreston Global is committed to being the network of choice for internationally ambitious mid market and upper mid market clients.

Our growth this year — both in revenues and in new member firms — is a reflection of your trust. It is also a testament to the strength of our global community and our shared commitment to delivering high quality, commercially astute service across borders.

To all our clients and stakeholders: thank you for your continued confidence in Kreston Global. We look forward to supporting your ambitions and guiding your business through the opportunities and challenges ahead.