Member Article

New Practice Lead and key promotions as Grant Thornton invests in North West team

Leading business and financial adviser Grant Thornton UK LLP has appointed Mick Frankish as its new Practice Lead for the North West, alongside a series of promotions.

Mick is responsible for leading and growing Grant Thornton’s team based across the firm’s Liverpool and Manchester offices. Carl Williams, who has stepped down as Practice Leader for the North West, remains a partner ahead of retiring at the end of 2024.

Mick is now responsible for developing the 450-strong team across the North West to ensure they have the skills and knowledge to support clients across all sectors and markets in the region. Building on Grant Thornton’s inclusive and supportive culture will be central to this, as will coordinating the expanding local partner team and growing the firm’s collaborative relationships with clients, local government, universities and business leaders.

An audit partner at Grant Thornton since 2017, Mick brings extensive experience to the role, with over 25 years’ market knowledge across diverse sectors. He also sits on the firm’s national Governance Board.

Alongside Mick Frankish’s appointment, Matt Bryden-Smith has been promoted to partner in the Corporate Finance team. Matt, who joined Grant Thornton 10 years ago this year, and is a key member of the award-winning team, will work closely with Peter Terry, who will continue as Head of Corporate Finance in the North.

Liverpool-based Mike Delf, who joined Grant Thornton 22 years ago and is UK Lead to Accounting Services, has been promoted to Entrepreneurial Services Partner. He will continue to support fast growing Entrepreneurial clients with their accounting needs across a wide sector base.

Philip Stephenson has returned to the North West region to head up the Restructuring and Debt Advisory department after spending several years in London with the firm. Steph Baker has also been promoted to Restructuring Director within the team.

After joining Grant Thornton in 2016 as an audit associate, Zeenat Patel has been promoted to Audit Director in the 150-strong audit team. Building on the promotion of Paul Atherton to Director in mid-2023, both Laura Wycherley and Harry Simpson have been promoted to Tax Director roles.

Mick Frankish, Practice Lead for Grant Thornton in the North West, said: “The expert, multidisciplinary teams across our Manchester and Liverpool office are testament to the supportive culture and ambitions for further growth here at Grant Thornton and the recent successes we have achieved.

“We are always looking for new ways to grow and innovate and a part of that process has been to really invest in our people and their development. This latest round of promotions really reflects that ethos, and it is a strong start to a promising year for the North West.

“Each promotion has been the result of hard work and high standards, which is integral to driving the agenda of our North West practice forward.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by John Robson .