Leading business and financial adviser Grant Thornton UK LLP has appointed Ben Butterfield as associate director in its transformation team and promoted Zeenat Patel to audit director, to support its growth in the North.
Ben Butterfield will be based between the firm’s Manchester and Leeds offices where he’ll be working closely with Carolyn Hicks, head of business transformation, to help catalyse business transformation across the North. Ben will develop practices and solutions that will help clients on their journeys through transformational change, whether driven by growth opportunities, cost challenges, technical change, operating model transformation or talent acquisition and retention issues.
Zeenat Patel has been promoted to audit director within the North West audit team. Zeenat joined Grant Thornton in 2016 as an audit associate and has thrived alongside the growth and success of the North West team, working with a variety of listed and large privately owned businesses. She will continue working at the firm’s Landmark office at St Peter’s Square in Manchester city centre, alongside the 140-strong audit team.
Carl Williams, managing partner for Grant Thornton UK LLP in the North West, said: “It’s fantastic to welcome Ben to the firm. His breadth of experience across change management and operations transformation makes him the perfect fit for Carolyn’s team. He brings skills that will resonate with clients going through business transformation.
“I’m also delighted that Zeenat’s fantastic performance has been recognised with this promotion. Zeenat has consistently proven why we consider her to be a future leader of our firm . She is scrupulous in her attention to detail, her work standards are incredibly high, and she has consistently achieved exceptional upwards feedback from her teams.
“She has been integral in driving the audit quality agenda in the North West practice and we can’t wait to watch her continue her journey with us at the Manchester office.”
Speaking on his appointment, Ben Butterfield said: “It’s an exciting time to join the firm and be a part of the business transformation team. The North is a region I’m hugely passionate about, having lived and worked here throughout my career. I’m looking forward to engaging with business leaders across the North where there is already so much innovation and business transformation taking place.”
Speaking on her promotion, Zeenat Patel said: “I am thrilled to have achieved this next milestone in my career in the audit team. Grant Thornton has a brilliant culture – the people here really do make my job and that’s why I enjoy it so much. I’m looking forward to the coming months and years and watching our team flourish and grow, thanks to everyone’s hard work and determination.”
