National accountancy group Grant Thornton UK has appointed partner Lauren Carlyle as its new practice lead for the South West and Wales.
In her new role Lauren, pictured, is responsible for leading and growing Grant Thornton’s regional team of almost 300 people based across its offices in Bristol and Cardiff.
She replaces Grant Thornton’s previous practice leader in the region Jonathan Riley, who left the role at the end of last year to consider new challenges.
A pensions specialist who has provided audit and assurance services for more than 20 years, Lauren brings extensive experience to the role, supporting clients to overcome key challenges in an everchanging regulatory and economic landscape.
She is also a member of the Pensions Management Institute (PMI) committee in Bristol.
Lauren joined Grant Thornton just under two years ago from PwC, where she worked for more than 15 years. Prior to that she was an assistant manager at KPMG for three years.
As practice lead, she is responsible for developing the teams across Bristol and Cardiff to ensure they have the people and talent required to support the region’s businesses.
Grant Thornton said building on the firm’s inclusive and supportive culture would be central to this as will coordinating the local partner team and growing the firm’s collaborative relationships with the region’s business leaders.
Lauren said: “The expert, multidisciplinary teams in our Bristol and Cardiff offices are testament to the supportive culture at Grant Thornton as well as the area’s creative and ambitious businesses, which are always looking for new ways to grow and innovate.
“I’m incredibly proud to be working with these teams and helping them further develop to meet the needs of a complex and changing economy.”
She said the value of investing in its people was showcased last year when Grant Thornton welcomed 28 new joiners to its Bristol and Cardiff offices as part of the firm’s largest ever national intake of graduates and school leavers.
“In addition, Grant Thornton has been independently recognised as an outstanding employer for women, working families, social mobility and LGBTQIA+,” she added.
“There are many headwinds and uncertainties for the region’s businesses still to face, ranging from high inflation to low productivity levels, supply chain issues and more.
“However, the dynamic nature of the South West and Wales means there are a lot of exciting and entrepreneurial companies generating a lot of interest.
“With the right advice and information to help them navigate the road ahead, there’s no end to the potential for the region’s business landscape.”
Grant Thornton has more than 5,500 staff and 200 partners across its 22 UK offices.
