The firm's aggressive two-year hiring plan is fueled by its recent transaction with Cinven, signaling a significant shift in its growth strategy and compensation model.
Grant Thornton UK has announced plans to recruit 160 new partners over the next two years, a move that will significantly expand its current leadership team of 280 partners. The firm has already appointed 40 partners this year.
The expansion initiative follows the firm's major transaction with private equity firm Cinven just over six months ago. That deal made Grant Thornton the largest UK professional services firm to accept external equity investment and is providing the capital for this new growth phase, which includes investments in talent and technology.
To facilitate the recruitment across its audit, tax, and advisory practices, the firm is using a combination of internal promotions and targeted external hiring. It has engaged executive search firms Korn Ferry and Wilton & Bain to attract external candidates and is also working with an advisory firm to strengthen its partner selection process using data-driven performance insights.
A central element of its recruitment strategy is a new partner compensation model that differs from the traditional structure in the sector. It offers a balance of in-year and long-term incentive rewards, which the firm claims can result in partner compensation at a 50% premium to the market rate. This is complemented by new onboarding and development programs.
"2025 has been a transformative year for our firm, as we reimagined what the multi-disciplinary professional services partnership of the future should look like – combining equity ownership with external investment from Cinven to unlock unprecedented competitiveness," said Malcolm Gomersall, CEO of Grant Thornton UK. "We have an exceptionally ambitious growth plan and we know our strong brand, unique operating model and industry-leading quality will continue to drive our momentum over the years to come."
Alongside the partner hiring, Grant Thornton is also focusing on developing its director-level talent to build a long-term leadership pipeline.
SOURCE: Grant Thornton UK
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