PricewaterhouseCoopers, one of the Big Five accountancy firms, has moved quickly to replace Scott Hartz, head of its consultancy division, after he announced his resignation from the firm.

Samuel DiPiazza, PwC's global chief executive, said Thomas O'Neill, previously chief operating officer of PwC, will take over the reigns of the consultancy business. PwC would not comment on the reasons behind Hartz's resignation, however there is speculation that he and DiPiazza had a falling out over the direction of the consulting business.