Irish leaders appointed to global industry roles at Grant Thornton

Press release

Irish leaders appointed to global industry roles at Grant Thornton

22 May 2025

Two Irish Grant Thornton executives appointed to lead industries across multinational practice 

DUBLIN, 22 May, 2025 — Grant Thornton, one of America and Ireland’s largest brands of professionals providing end-to-end audit, assurance, tax and advisory services, has appointed two Irish executives to leadership roles within its multinational Industry practice. 

Shona O’Hea, an Advisory Services partner who has led the Asset Management practice for Grant Thornton in Ireland since 2023, has been named as head of Asset Management for the multinational Industry practice, while Conor O’Dwyer, who leads Government and Public Sector in Ireland, has been named as head of Government and Public Sector.

These appointments follow the establishment of a multinational, multidisciplinary platform by Grant Thornton Advisors in the US with Grant Thornton Ireland earlier this year. The platform offers a premier transatlantic advisory and tax practice, as well as independent American and Irish audit practices.

“Today’s unique business climate is impacting all industries in a way that requires leaders to be future-focused and adaptable,” said Martin Shanahan, head of Industry for Grant Thornton Advisors. “Shona and Conor have a track record of bringing fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the firm’s international client base, while seamlessly delivering high-quality services. They are the right leaders to help our clients thrive across these important industry sectors.”

As head of Asset Management, Shona works with Grant Thornton’s international community of Asset Management professionals to identify trends and challenges facing the industry and create solutions to support and meet clients’ needs. She also serves as the global head of Asset Management for the Grant Thornton International Ltd network of member firms around the world and has more than 20 years of experience providing global financial functions and operations solutions to asset and wealth managers and asset servicers. 

Shona is a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and holds a diploma of Internal Audit with the Institute of Internal Auditors. She received a bachelor’s degree from Dublin City University.

As head of Government and Public Sector, Conor has extensive experience in delivering large-scale transformation within the public sector. He leads global multidisciplinary teams to plan, mobilise and implement complex change programmes that support governments in delivering improved services to the public. 

With 19 years of experience delivering consulting services at leading global professional services firms, Conor has helped guide public service leaders to create solutions that are impactful, sustainable, and citizen-focused.

Conor holds a professional diploma in Organisational Change and Transformation from Smurfit Business School and a certification in Strategy in the Age of Digital Disruption from INSEAD. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in electronic engineering from Dublin City University. 

The multinational platform established by Grant Thornton in the US and Ireland continues to expand. Last week, Grant Thornton Netherlands announced its intention to join, following several other Grant Thornton firms in Europe, the Middle East and the Americas who have closed or signed agreements to join the platform. 

The expansion creates a team of nearly 13,000 professionals across almost 60 offices in the US, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, the Cayman Islands, Bermuda and other territories.

To learn more about Grant Thornton’s multinational Industry offerings, visit: grantthornton.ie.

ENDS

About Grant Thornton 

Grant Thornton delivers professional services in the US through two specialized entities: Grant Thornton LLP, a licensed, certified public accounting (CPA) firm that provides audit and assurance services ― and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC (not a licensed CPA firm), which exclusively provides non-attest offerings, including tax and advisory services.

In Ireland, Grant Thornton is a leading multinational professional services firm with approximately 2,800 people in offices across the island of Ireland, Bermuda, Isle of Man and Gibraltar. Their tax, audit and advisory teams work with organizations across sectors including technology, insurance, asset management, banking, life sciences, and aviation, as well as the public sector.

In January 2025, Grant Thornton Advisors LLC formed a multinational, multidisciplinary platform with Grant Thornton Ireland. The platform offers a premier advisory and tax practice, as well as independent audit practices. In April 2025, Grant Thornton UAE also joined the multinational platform. 

With $2.7 billion in revenues and almost 60 offices spanning the U.S., Ireland, the UAE and other territories, the platform delivers a singular client experience that includes enhanced solutions and capabilities, backed by powerful technologies and a roster of almost 13,000 quality-driven professionals enjoying exceptional career-growth opportunities and a distinctive cross-border culture.

Grant Thornton LLP, Grant Thornton Advisors LLC and their respective subsidiaries operate as an alternative practice structure (APS). The APS 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 LLP and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC serve as the U.S. member firms of the GTIL network, while Grant Thornton Ireland serves as the Irish member firm. 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.

Experts / Authors

Martin Shanahan

Martin Shanahan serves as the Head of Industry for Grant Thornton Advisors LLC, overseeing operations, strategy and growth initiatives for the firm across a range of industries

Shona O'Hea

Shona is an Advisory partner and the head of Asset Management for Grant Thornton. She works with the firm’s international community of Asset Management professionals to identify trends and challenges facing the industry and create solutions to support our clients’ needs.

Conor O'Dwyer

Conor has over 17 years’ experience delivering consulting services at leading global professional services firms.