The partner appointments across Tax, Corporate Finance, Business Consulting, Finance Operations and Financial Services Advisory departments reflect a culture of growth, promotion and development across the firm. Grant Thornton Ireland currently employs over 2,500 people across seven locations in Ireland, and has a presence in Bermuda, Gibraltar and the Isle of Man.
Speaking on the appointment of the six new partners, managing partner at Grant Thornton Ireland, Michael McAteer said, “These new partner appointments show our ongoing commitment to developing and promoting talent and empowering our people to achieve their ambitions. They also reflect and build on our plans for continued growth of our firm, in line with the needs of our clients. I wish to congratulate all six new partners whose appointments reflect their talent and expertise.’
‘Given the economic situation as we head into 2023, there are several challenges facing Irish businesses including the increasing costs of doing business and inflation, an evolving global tax landscape, technological disruption, the impacts of climate change and Brexit. Grant Thornton is ready to support Irish businesses in overcoming these obstacles, to build resilience and effectively manage risks so that they can continue to thrive.”
The appointments are indicative of the growth in client requirements, with partner promotions stretching across all areas of the business, notably in the realm of Operations, with CFO Trevor McCarron becoming the second partner in Operations in the past 12 months. The announcement also reflects the growing demand for advisory services, with Ann Marie Costello appointed partner in Corporate Finance, Shane O’Neill in Financial Services Advisory and Padraig Ryan in Business Consulting.
The evolving tax landscape and the challenges it poses for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) growth is also recognised, with two appointments in the area, seeing both Kevin Devenney and Sarah Meredith promoted to tax partners. Both are trusted advisors for a large portfolio of clients in their respective areas across FDI and Financial Service Tax. The appointments bolster the firm’s expertise and capacity to meet clients’ needs and help support Ireland’s economic growth.
Grant Thornton Ireland is actively seeking to achieve greater gender and cultural diversity within the firm’s leadership, and these appointments reflect the firm’s continued commitment to promoting women in such roles, in line with inclusion and diversity.
Meet our New Partners
Ann Marie Costello, partner in corporate finance advisory
‘I am delighted to be appointed as partner within Corporate Finance, and notably the first female partner in this practice area. The practice has gone from strength to strength over the last number of years, with significant growth across our M&A, Transaction Services, Valuations and Debt Advisory services lines. My work is predominantly focused on M&A, engaging with stakeholders to deliver value and we have seen significant growth in this area of our business in recent times. My primary focus as partner will be advising business owners in achieving their strategic goals as well as growing our private equity and international network to further strengthen our M&A offering and to continue to deliver for our clients at home and abroad .’
Kevin Devenney, tax partner
‘I am delighted to be appointed indirect tax partner with Grant Thornton. We have seen exciting growth over the past number of years in Grant Thornton and the Tax department, built on a culture that focuses on developing trusting relationships with our clients and developing our people. The tax landscape is continually evolving in tandem with increased regulatory pressures. I look forward to working with my colleagues across the firm to ensure that Grant Thornton is front and centre of these changes and leverages its vast capability for the benefit of our clients.’
Trevor McCarron, CFO, partner in finance operations
‘As CFO at Grant Thornton, I am very excited for the next challenge as partner in Finance Operations. I welcome the opportunity to further develop the Finance Department and deliver my vision for the future of Finance in Grant Thornton. We are extremely focused on strategic growth goals and revenue growth for 2023.’
Sarah Meredith, tax partner
‘I have provided tax advice to our clients at Grant Thornton for many years now and I am delighted to be appointed tax partner so I can continue to foster close relationships with our clients and advise on their evolving needs. The tax landscape has seen a huge amount of change in recent times, with this likely to continue into the future. The area of FDI and international tax is a key area of focus for Grant Thornton in 2023 and the coming years.’
Shane O’Neill, partner in financial services advisory
‘My appointment to partner is again reflective of the growing client demand in Financial Services for deep consulting expertise to support Digital and Technology transformation programs. Being based in Cork, my appointment shows Grant Thornton’s continued investment to the region. I am looking forward to further building relationships with businesses throughout Ireland and continuing to offer a service that will help them thrive in 2023. I am an entrepreneur by nature, having successfully launched a FinTech start-up before joining Grant Thornton, and it is this entrepreneurial spirit and experience that enables me to bring a fresh perspective to those businesses I work so closely with.’
Padraig Ryan, partner in business consulting advisory
‘I am delighted with my appointment to partner in the Business Consulting team. I am eager to continue adding value by providing strategic and operational support to a wide array of clients across a range of industries. Given the uncertain economic climate facing us in 2023 providing evidence-based advice to clients from small to large organisations will be vital to them weathering external shocks and ongoing pressures associated with the costs of doing business.’