Dear Council Members,

In consultation with the Chair of Council, Dr Samuel Ritchie, we would like to bring to your attention an opportunity that has arisen regarding the appointment of ECO external auditor, and to seek your views.

In accordance with Financial Regulation 20.2, Council reviews the appointment of the external auditor every fifth year with the decision being effective for the audit of the accounts in the following year. The next formal review is scheduled for the Spring 2028 Council meeting for the audit of the accounts in 2029, because at the May 2023 Council meeting, it was decided to retain PwC as auditor, noting that a change was not appropriate at that time given ECO's recent transition to a new financial system.

In preparing for the 2028 review, ECO explored the market and received a competitive offer from an alternative international auditing firm, Ernst & Young (EY). This offer represents a saving of approximately DKK 150,000 over the next three years compared to continuing with PwC, while also bringing ECO's audit arrangement more closely in line with the spirit of Financial Regulation 20.2, which anticipates periodic rotation among reputable international firms (PwC has served as ECO's auditor since 2013).

Proposal

Given the financial benefit identified above, we would like to propose moving forward with a change of auditor to EY, effective for the 2026 audit already, rather than waiting until the 2028 review - which would mean forgoing this saving and delaying compliance with the intended rotation principle for a further three years.

We recognise that Financial Regulation 20.2 anchors the formal review to the Spring Council meeting. However, we believe Council may wish to consider this opportunity now, given the timing constraints tied to the upcoming November audit cycle, rather than waiting until Spring 2028.

We would therefore welcome Councillors view on this proposal. Please share any comments or objections by 21September 2026. Should no objections be raised by that date, we will proceed on this basis and report back to Council formally in December.

We remain available to provide any further information or documentation Council may find useful in considering this proposal.
Best regards

Jaime