Business

Business advisory firm appoints new partners

BUSINESS advisory firm Grant Thornton has appointed three partners - Louise Kelly, Peter Legge and Richard Gillan - to lead the company's operations in the north and spearhead significant expansion plans over the coming years.

Ms Kelly will lead the audit team in Northern Ireland. Having joined Grant Thornton in 2000, she has experience working with public and privately owned companies, particularly within the construction, education, motor retail and manufacturing sectors. She is the author of Advanced Auditing and Assurance, the text book used by Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Tax partner Peter Legge has 20 years' experience in providing tax advice to individuals and businesses. He joined Grant Thornton in 2005 and specialises in advising owner managed businesses on tax matters. His clients include those from the food and beverage, property and construction, technology and media and retail sectors.

Richard Gillan joins Grant Thornton from the private sector to lead the advisory team. Having trained as a chartered accountant he has spent the last decade acquiring a number of businesses, restructuring and expanding them in advance of successful exits. He advises on acquisitions, disposals, corporate strategy and financing.

Grant Thornton's regional managing partner Paul McCann said: "These appointments not only represent a new dawn for us in Northern Ireland but also recognise the vast experience and knowledge that all three partners possess.

"Grant Thornton has been the fastest growing firm in Ireland over the past decade and the new partners have ambitious plans to grow the business by expanding its portfolio of specialist advice.

"I'm delighted that all three are northern Irish natives and know the nuances and challenges for companies and individuals when operating in both a local and global marketplace."

Grant Thornton operates in 130 countries globally and employs 300 staff in Belfast. In Ireland it comprises more than 600 partners and staff operating from offices in Belfast, Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Kildare.

* WELCOME ABOARD: Grant Thornton's Northern Ireland managing partner Paul McCann, second right, with new partners, from left, Richard Gillan, advisory, Louise Kelly, audit and Peter Legge, tax