LEADING business advisory firm Grant Thornton UK LLP has promoted Paul Wilson to partner in its North West practice.
Paul has worked as a VAT Director in the firm’s tax team for the last four years. He has been based in the region for 13 years of his two-decade career – which has been focussed entirely in VAT – and before that worked in London and New Zealand.
He has experience advising a broad mix of clients including FTSE 100 companies, multinational businesses, and owner-managed businesses. Paul has particular expertise in manufacturing, technology, real estate and private healthcare, and is a recognised expert in international supply chain advisory. This has led to him leading several of the firm’s Brexit readiness projects for its client base.
Grant Thornton continues to invest in developing and retaining its people, and has also announced two further promotions within the North West team.
Louise Gannon and Paul Bamber have both been promoted to Director. Louise now leads the not-for-profit corporate tax team and has over 13 years’ experience advising both charitable and corporate organisations.
Paul joins the leadership group within audit that has overseen significant growth through 2020 and is targeting further expansion in 2021. He has 20 years’ experience advising businesses across a broad range of sectors including privately owned, PE-backed, AIM-listed, and internationally groups.
The North West practice has its headquarters in Manchester and recently reaffirmed its commitment to the city by announcing a new 15-year lease which will see its 350-strong Manchester team based at the Landmark office development at St Peter’s Square.
Commenting on his promotion to partner, Paul Wilson said: “I am hugely excited to be taking the next step in my career with Grant Thornton. The strength of the tax team in the region was a major draw when I joined the firm in 2017, so I’m incredibly pleased to step up to partner within it.
“The region’s businesses have faced a year like no other during 2020. But the result of the Brexit negotiations, and the start of life in earnest outside of the EU, presents fresh challenges for many internationally trading businesses. Timely, reliable, clear advice is the ask from all business leaders and Grant Thornton is committed to providing that.”
Carl Williams, North West managing partner for Grant Thornton UK LLP, said: “Paul’s promotion to partner comes at a time of significant potential disruption to international supply chains, when our region’s globally trading businesses need assured counsel. I’m pleased to see him make the step up to partner and to continue to offer real insight and guidance to our client base.
“As a firm, we’re committed to attracting, retaining and developing the best and brightest talent. All of our promoted colleagues have supported both clients and each other with resilience, dynamism and compassion amid unprecedented circumstances last year and I’m delighted to recognise that.”
