Grant Thornton accelerates growth; announces plan to relocate Belfast office to The Ewart on Bedford Square
Belfast, January 27, 2026: Following the creation of over 70 new roles in its Belfast office last year, Grant Thornton has announced that it has signed a lease with MRP for 23,000 sq ft of office space across two floors in The Ewart on Bedford Square and plans to move into the building in early 2027. The firm has experienced significant growth in the last decade, increasing its headcount from 30 to 250 people by the end of last year.
Its rapid expansion in 2025 alone saw Grant Thornton strengthen its position as one of the region’s leading professional services firms. This substantial increase in staff reflects sustained growth across the business, driven by increasing client demand for high‑quality advisory, audit and tax services.
The expansion of the Belfast office mirrors Grant Thornton’s global growth, driven by the evolution of the Grant Thornton Advisors multinational platform following a series of strategic transactions with professional services firms around the world.
CBRE NI acted for MRP and Savills acted for Grant Thornton in the transaction.
The Ewart is located close to Grant Thornton’s current office on Donegall Square West, where the firm has operated since 2017. The new workspace will be carefully designed to accommodate the firm’s current needs and future growth as it continues to expand in the region.
A prominent architectural landmark building on Belfast’s skyline, The Ewart offers exemplary sustainability and technological features. The building has achieved a BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) Excellent rating, aligning with Grant Thornton’s commitment to a sustainable workplace culture. Grant Thornton’s Dublin office at City Quay and its Cork office at Penrose Dock both hold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certifications, another leading global sustainability standard.
Steve Tennant, Managing Partner, Grant Thornton Ireland and EMEA CEO of the Grant Thornton Advisors multinational platform, said:
“Our move to The Ewart, along with the creation of more than 70 new roles in 2025, demonstrates both the scale of our ambition and our belief in the Northern Ireland market. Over the past decade, Grant Thornton has gone from strength to strength in Belfast, and we act for many of Northern Ireland’s largest indigenous and multi-national companies. Our growth is testament to the extraordinary work our Belfast team delivers for clients both locally and globally, and we look forward to further expansion as our platform continues to evolve.”
Richard Gillan, Managing Partner, Grant Thornton Northern Ireland, added:
“With our market leading Audit, Tax and Advisory teams continuing to experience rapid growth, we are excited for our Belfast office to relocate to The Ewart in early 2027. By continuing to invest in our office and people in Belfast, we are ensuring we have the resources required to support organisations as they navigate complexity, seize opportunities and grow sustainably.”
Paul Beacom, Development Director, MRP, said:
“MRP is delighted to welcome Grant Thornton to The Ewart. This letting is another strong endorsement of the quality of the building and its location. They will join an impressive lineup of firms across legal, financial and consulting sectors, further strengthening the building’s reputation for leading professional services. The Ewart has just one floor remaining, marking a significant milestone in its leasing success.”
ENDS
About Grant Thornton
Grant Thornton is a leading multinational professional services firm in Ireland, with approximately 2,900 people in offices across the island of Ireland, Bermuda, Isle of Man and Gibraltar. Our tax, audit and advisory teams work with organisations across sectors including technology, insurance, asset management, banking, life sciences, and aviation, as well as the public sector. We deliver practical solutions to help organisations achieve their goals, while maintaining our position as a leader in sustainability through long-term value creation, ethical practices and positive social impact.
In 2025, Grant Thornton Ireland joined forces with Grant Thornton US that was the catalyst for the creation of a multinational, multidisciplinary platform that offers premier advisory and tax services as well as independent audit practices. With offices across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, the platform delivers a singular client experience that includes enhanced solutions and capabilities, backed by powerful technologies and a roster of more than 20,000 quality-driven professionals enjoying exceptional career-growth opportunities and a distinctive cross-border culture.
Grant Thornton Ireland is also part of the Grant Thornton International Limited network, which comprises member firms in more than 150 markets worldwide.
The audit practice in Ireland operates under an alternative practice structure (APS) similar to Grant Thornton in the US, which conforms with applicable laws, regulations and professional standards, including those from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
“Grant Thornton” refers to the brand under which the member firms in the Grant Thornton International Ltd (GTIL) network provide services to their clients and/or refers to one or more member firms. Grant Thornton Ireland serves as the Irish member firm of the GTIL network. GTIL and its member firms are not a worldwide partnership and all member firms are separate legal entities. Member firms deliver all services; GTIL does not provide services to clients.
Learn more at grantthornton.ie
About MRP
MRP is the property development and investment division of McAleer & Rushe. MRP focuses on the creation and management of high quality office, hotel, student and residential accommodation throughout the UK & Ireland, operating from offices in London, Belfast, Dublin and Cookstown.
Contact:
Fiona MacCarthy – Head of Communications
T: +353 87 000 0107
E: Fiona.maccarthy@ie.gt.com