Member Article

Grant Thornton appoint managing partner to lead NW operations

Grant Thornton UK LLP has appointed Carl Williams as managing partner for its North West business.

He succeeds Les Ross, who is retiring in the summer after over 35 years’ with Grant Thornton .

Carl Williams, 43, takes up the post 1 July 2014 and will lead what is the UK firm’s largest business unit outside of London, with a team of 400 people across offices in Manchester’s Spinningfields and the Royal Liver Building, Liverpool.

Grant Thornton UK posted a 13% increase in turnover to £471m for the last financial year and expects to reach its target of £500m revenue in 2014, a year earlier than originally targeted.

“The North West is a powerhouse in the UK economy and our team here makes a significant contribution to the firm’s growth,” said Carl Williams. “We are able to do that because we thrive working alongside the entrepreneurs, funders and decision-makers who are creating wealth and opportunity in our region.”

He has been a partner for eight years, leads a number of the firms’ major client relationships and is known for his financial delivery and people-focus. He joined Grant Thornton in 1995 and has advised a wide range of businesses, from sectors as varied as manufacturing, FMCG, leisure, property and construction.

“I work for an organisation that has deeply-held values and beliefs about bringing the numbers to life and helping businesses reach their full potential,” he said.

“My absolute focus is on extending our reach into the North West market place. We have a strong position but we are investing in our team to go even further. That means bringing in new senior people and also developing our existing staff.”

A native of Warrington, Carl Williams lives in Lymm, Cheshire and is married with two children.

Robert Hannah, who leads Grant Thornton’s network of 25 regional offices said: “Carl is a highly effective client service partner and a natural leader.

“He has built an exceptional reputation in the market for providing high quality advice to assist dynamic businesses in realising their potential for growth and is a role model within the firm for living the values and behaviours we expect.

“He will bring those leadership and commercial skills to bear in his new role while continuing to support his clients. We are delighted to have someone of his quality to build on Les’s excellent contribution and to ensure the ongoing success of our growing North West practice.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .