Grant Thornton Ireland has today announced six new partners across a number of businesses units as the firm continues to grow in line with client demands. Today’s announcement of partner appointments in the Audit, Tax, Risk Compliance & Professional Services, Financial Accounting & Advisory Services, and Financial Services Advisory reflects a culture of promotion and ambition across the firm. Grant Thornton Ireland currently employs over 1,800 people across eight offices in Ireland and Isle of Man.
Speaking on the appointment of the six new partners, Managing Partner at Grant Thornton Ireland, Michael McAteer said, ‘These appointments not only reflect our firm’s culture of promoting talent, and encouraging and empowering our people to achieve their ambitions, they also reflect our commitment to growing our teams in line with client needs to ensure we continue to deliver the highest standard of service into the future.
‘As the Grant Thornton International Business Report shows, 85% of Irish businesses are optimistic about the Irish economy in the coming 12 months and we at Grant Thornton know that our experienced teams can make sure these businesses reach their fullest potential, and at the same time overcoming any challenges that arise.’
Louise Barry has been announced as Partner in Risk Compliance & Professional Services (RCPS) having worked with Grant Thornton Ireland since 2007, when she joined the Audit and Assurance department. Since joining the RCPS department, Louise serves on a number of committees for the Grant Thornton International network and for regulatory authorities in Ireland, principally in the areas of risk management, independence and quality. Louise now leads a team of 32 audit and accounting and legal and compliance experts, and marks the firms first Partner appointment within the operational functions.
Frankie Cronin has been appointed Partner in Financial Services Advisory (FSA) following 15 years working in both the Grant Thornton Irish and US offices. Frankie has over twelve years’ experience working in an advisory capacity within the financial services industry. He was appointed Head of FS Business Risk Services in late 2019, and now leads a team of 70 dedicated Governance, Risk management and Compliance (GRC) professionals servicing the wider Financial Services industry.
Gavin Fitzpatrick, who joined Grant Thornton Ireland in 2014, brings his experience working in both the Dublin and US West Coast offices to his appointment as Partner in Financial Accounting and Advisory Services (FAAS). Gavin has managed international projects across a number of accounting disciplines and has over 13 years' experience providing audit and financial reporting services. Gavin specialises in providing global statutory audit solutions to large corporates and multinationals.
Bláithín O’Neill has been promoted to Partner in our Audit and Assurance team. Bláithín has over ten years’ experience working with large private and public clients, including several groups listed on Nasdaq. Bláithín is a specialist in IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) and performing audits in accordance with PCAOB (Public Company Accounting Oversight Board) standards. Bláithín is highly focused on quality and delivering best in class service to our clients and is passionate about coaching and developing her team.
Christopher Rogers has been appointed Partner in Financial Services Audit at the Dublin office. Christopher originally trained in Grant Thornton and went on to gather more than 18 years’ experience in assurance and advisory, working in insurance practices of two other professional services and accounting firms. Christopher has provided audit services to multi-national and domestic clients within the Insurance industry including reinsurance & insurance (both life and non-life) clients, captive (re)insurers and insurance brokers. He has also served as Head of Internal Audit for a number of Insurers. Christopher also has significant experience providing financial reporting and regulatory services, advising insurers on IFRS, Irish GAAP and Solvency II regulatory reporting. He has an extensive knowledge of the Irish insurance industry and developments in international markets.
Alan Gourley, based in the Belfast Grant Thornton Ireland office, has been appointed Partner in Tax. Alan has over 25 years’ experience working in practice, industry and the public sector. He has a focus on advising High Net Worth Individuals (“HNWIs”) and family businesses in respect of income tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax and all aspects of succession planning. Alan has worked on some of the largest business disposals in Northern Ireland and has worked with clients from the stage of planning for a sale, right through to managing wealth succession issues. Since 2018, Alan has been Chair of the Northern Ireland Tax Committee of Chartered Accountants Ireland and a Member of the Advocacy and Representation Board of Chartered Accountants Ireland.