Richard Collier-Keywood (head of tax), Richard Sexton (head of assurance) and Ian Powell (head of advisory) are all in the frame, with Glyn Barker - effectively Kieran Poynter's number 2 already - the fourth nominee.

I could credit myself with amazing foresight but in truth this a pretty predicatble (if demonstratbly able) group.

It's a shame that there is no Mark Otty (in spirit, not in name) on the shortlist. PwC has opted to follow KPMG's lead in going for experience (John Griffiths Jones) rather than skipping a generation as Ernst & Young's did with Otty.

All four candidates have a window of four weeks to set out their manifesto and vision , with the opportunity to hold a series of meetings with partners.

It sounds like in the current climate partners want stability, which would make Barker favourite with perhaps Collier Keywood a sound each-way bet.