7. Statement by the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee on the outgoing Auditor General for Wales

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:50 pm on 18 July 2018.

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Photo of Nick Ramsay Nick Ramsay Conservative 4:50, 18 July 2018

Running out of accolades now—[Laughter.] I knew I shouldn't have mentioned Mike Hedges as being the longest serving, because obviously my colleague Mohammad Asghar has been on the committee a long time as well.

Yes, your points are well made. Over the last two years, since I've been Chair of the committee, we've looked at a number of different areas. The Circuit of Wales is an obvious one. Kancoat, I think, was mentioned by Mike. And in all that time, Huw has given me as Chair, the Members, but also the committee clerks a lot of support as well. It is a tough act to follow, and the next auditor general doesn't need to be like the last auditor general—doesn't need to be like Huw. It is a role that—. I know, from my discussions with Huw, he has told me you take it and you make what you want from it. There are certain key levels that you have to reach within that job, but at the same time—. It's also, of course, worth pointing out: it's an interesting mixture, because you're the auditor general but you're also the chief executive of a very important organisation within Wales. So, it's not an easy job to follow. We wish Adrian Crompton the best in taking up the cudgels there. But it's worth pointing out Huw has not just been respected by people here; he's also got a wider respect. I've visited other audit offices and auditor generals across the UK—and, indeed, we speak to them from across the world—and he's very highly regarded. I have no doubt at all that once you've relaxed a bit, Huw, then you will move on to other things, and I know you've had a very diverse and interesting career, and I'm sure that in the future you will still have much to give to Welsh life.