BKR International, an association of accounting firms, has appointed Arcangelo Agogliati as Worldwide Board chair and Charlotte Tay as vice-chair, while adding three board members.

BKR confirmed the appointments at its 2026 Worldwide & Americas Conference in Dallas, Texas. The announcement did not disclose the conference dates or the precise date of the confirmation.

Agogliati, of Milan-based B&C Tax in Italy, succeeds Dave Davis of Johanson & Yau in San Jose, California. He previously served as Worldwide vice-chair, making his elevation an internal promotion rather than an outside appointment.

Davis will remain on the Worldwide Board for one additional year in an ex-officio role, meaning he stays because of his former office. BKR presents the arrangement as a source of continuity during the handover, although the announcement does not specify his voting rights or decision-making authority.

Who leads the worldwide board?

Agogliati will chair the Worldwide Board, the association’s governing body, while Tay will serve as vice-chair. Their appointments follow the arrival of Jeremy Vokt as CEO of BKR International in July, creating a significant change across the association’s senior governance.

The Worldwide Board has responsibility for governance and strategic direction. It also supports co-operation and commercial opportunities among member practices internationally. Its formal reach spans three territories: the Americas, Asia Pacific, and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Tay brings experience from the Americas Regional Board to her new position. She is a partner at San Francisco firm Lindquist, von Husen & Joyce.

What does the Worldwide Board control?

The board’s remit extends beyond internal administration. It sets strategic direction, supports co-operation between member firms and helps identify commercial opportunities across national markets. Yet BKR announced no revenue targets, growth forecasts or member-service commitments alongside the leadership changes.

BKR also expanded the Worldwide Board with three appointments:

• Alicia Brockland of United States firm Conner Ash.
• Iulia Lascau of Romania’s Argus Audit.
• Martin Phelan of Walker Wayland Advantage in Australia.

The board’s regional leadership includes Peter Zimmermann of Schiff-Martini & Cie. in Germany, who became chair of BKR’s EMEA region in July 2026. Ami Leng chairs the Asia Pacific region.

Why did the leadership change now?

Vokt’s appointment as CEO followed his arrival at the association. Together, his tenure and the board changes create a new leadership configuration, although BKR did not explain whether the moves constituted a coordinated succession plan.

Agogliati said: “This is an important time for BKR, with new leadership and a renewed focus on how we can best support our member firms.”

Vokt said: “Arcangelo and Charlotte bring valuable experience and a strong commitment to BKR and its members. I look forward to working with them as we take the association forward. I would also like to thank Dave for his leadership as Worldwide Chair, and I am pleased we will continue to benefit from his experience over the coming year.”

The combination pairs continuity with board expansion. Agogliati and Tay already held BKR positions, Davis remains for a year, and the three additions enter the governing group. That mix may reduce disruption, but the announcement offers no evidence that it will improve commercial performance or member engagement.

The leadership statements set direction without defining deliverables. Agogliati’s renewed focus on member support contains no named programme, budget or timetable. Vokt’s pledge to “take the association forward” likewise identifies no strategic priority beyond support for members. Neither statement explains how the board will measure success.

What does this change for BKR’s member firms?

For member firms, the immediate change concerns governance, not a disclosed change to fees, services or commercial arrangements. Agogliati and Tay will now help set direction with Vokt and the board, while Davis provides one year of institutional continuity.

The three additions also bring named representation from the United States, Romania and Australia into the worldwide governing group. However, the announcement does not disclose the board’s full size, the length of the new members’ terms, or how responsibilities will be divided.

The practical test is whether the new leadership converts broad support language into specific services and measurable opportunities for member practices. Until BKR publishes those priorities, firms should treat this as a leadership transition rather than evidence of a new operating strategy.