Robert Center is the retired Vice Chairman of Ernst & Young LLP, where he most recently led the firm's Japan practice. While in Japan, he developed and managed E&Y's global network of bilingual audit, tax and advisory professionals serving Japanese clients, achieving global market leadership in services to leading Japanese companies. He served as a Senior Advisory Partner for several Japanese listed companies, and was a member of E&Y's Global Management Group and Global Practice Council, as well as its Management Committee.
Prior to his leadership in Japan, Mr. Center was E&Y's Global Director for Middle Market Consulting and the Americas Vice Chairman for human resources. In this role, he was the responsible for development and execution of the firm's human resources strategy; personnel policies and procedures; recruitment and retention; training and development; compensation and benefits; diversity and inclusiveness; and alumni relations, among other functions.
Earlier in his career at E&Y, he was the Midwest Region Managing Partner, the Strategic Growth Market Managing Partner, a Tax Partner and an audit professional. Mr. Center holds an MBA from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and a B.A. from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.