Appointed as Auditor General of Nova Scotia on April 29, 2014 by the Nova Scotia Legislature, Mr. Pickup began his 10-year-term as Auditor General on July 2, 2014.

Prior to this, he worked for the Auditor General of Canada during the past 25 years, including the last 15 years in Ottawa. He obtained his CA designation with the Auditor General of Canada in the Halifax, Nova Scotia Office. During his time with that Office, he led a variety of financial and performance audits across various Government departments, agencies and crown corporations.

Mr. Pickup has also contributed to the profession through participation on a Task Force of the Public Sector Accounting Board and teaching audit at both the University of Ottawa and Carleton University. He was also a key member of the Norwegian-led international peer review of the Government Accountability Office of the United States which was conducted in 2011.

He received a Bachelor’s degree from Acadia University with concentrations in Canadian economics prior to obtaining his CA designation. Mr. Pickup was born and raised in Cape Breton and graduated from Sydney Academy high school in 1984.

He also has taken extensive language training over the past 15 years in order to enhance his abilities in French. As well, he attended Ivey Executive training at Western University.