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Grant Thornton appoints Anthony Beven to Partner, furthering its commitment to serving A.....

Grant Thornton appoints Anthony Beven to Partner, furthering its commitment to serving Australia’s Indigenous business community.

Grant Thornton Australia has announced the appointment of a new partner, Anthony Beven, to its Cairns office, commencing 13 November.

Mr. Beven brings extensive experience in Indigenous affairs to the firm, having been the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations for the past 10 years. He had regulatory oversight of over 2,900 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations, including 174 native title bodies, and was instrumental in significantly improving governance and compliance in the sector.

He developed a network of nine regional offices around Australia to deliver important services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities and corporations. These included new online services, a pro bono legal service in partnership with Australia’s leading law firms and a free independent director matching service in conjunction with the Business Council of Australia.

Mr. Beven introduced his agency’s first Reconciliation Action Plan that led to an increase in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment from 13% to 50%. He led the oversight and completion of 330 corporation compliance notices, 92 corporate investigations, 546 examinations, 81 special administrations and 40 liquidations. He also undertook precedent setting criminal and civil prosecutions.

From 1999 – 2007 Mr. Beven was the Regional Commissioner and National Adviser (Indigenous) in the Northern Territory and South Australia. He also served as the Registrar of Companies in Papua New Guinea for four years prior to 1999 and was instrumental in establishing the first stock exchange in that country.

Chief Executive Officer of Grant Thornton Australia Greg Keith said Mr. Beven’s appointment is integral to their 2020 strategy to be a leading provider of services to business, government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations delivering programs and services to Indigenous people and communities.

Mr. Beven will also play a key role in further developing Grant Thornton’s Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan to be embedded across the firm. 

“We are delighted to have Anthony join Grant Thornton. His leadership and trusted relationships will greatly assist us in growing our Indigenous client base around Australia,” said Les Corder, Managing Partner, Northern Australia.

“The opportunity to join Grant Thornton is an exciting one. My dealings with the firm in the past have been genuine and our values align. My family and I are also looking forward to calling Cairns home once more,” Mr. Beven said.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporate sector is largely comprised of midsized organisations and growth has been strong. But more than 60% are located in remote or very remote regions and access to high quality, cost effective professional advice is limited. 

“Anthony will lead and develop our Indigenous advisory capability. His expertise will elevate the services we currently offer to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporate sector and further our ambition to be the leading growth adviser to mid-size businesses, no matter how remotely located,” said Mr. Corder.

-ENDS-

 

For more information, please contact:

Dan Pollard

BBS Communications Group
P   07 3221 6711
M  0439 543 605
E  dpollard@bbscommunications.com.au