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Following the appointment of new CEO, Said Jahani, Grant Thornton announces its new Strategic Leadership Team effective from 1 July 2025.
The evolved leadership structure reflects the firm’s commitment to deliver the best possible client experience, accelerate its growth trajectory, enact faster decision-making, and continue to drive the firm’s purpose to care for its people, clients and communities by supporting them to thrive.
Grant Thornton CEO-Elect, Said Jahani said: “Leadership brings both privilege and responsibility in shaping Grant Thornton’s future and the goal is to significantly grow the firm and move at pace. As I take on the role of CEO and consider the composition of our new Strategic Leadership Team, I have balanced the firm’s growth ambitions with prioritising organisational stability – all within a structure designed for agility and speed. This is the team I believe we need to enable us to deliver on our firm’s strategic aspirations. These new appointments will also create pathways for us to accelerate our exceptional talent within our various teams and provide opportunities for diverse and talented Partners to step into leadership roles across all levels throughout our firm.”
The key updates include unifying the leadership of Financial Advisory and Consulting service lines under Partner, Paul Gooley to capitalise on market opportunities and unlock greater value for clients by providing end-to-end solutions that cover both operational and financial solutions. The new structure also establishes a dedicated in-house Mergers & Acquisitions function, whose mandate will be to identify and attract lateral hires and potential acquisitions who are both strategically and culturally aligned to Grant Thornton. This role will be led by Partner, Matt Byrnes which will support the firm’s growth strategy.
The existing C-suite leaders will continue as integral members of the Executive team. These seasoned leaders have the proven capability to execute the firm’s ambitious agenda while maintaining the operational excellence Grant Thornton’s clients, people and communities have come to expect.
Said Jahani continued: “I would like to thank the outgoing members of the firm’s Executive as well as congratulate the new incoming members of the Strategic Leadership Team.”
Grant Thornton’s Strategic Leadership Team effective from 1 July 2025:
Said Jahani, Chief Executive Officer
Michelle Watson, Chief Financial Officer
Ben Swindale, Chief Technology Officer
Kate Lindwall, Chief People & Culture Officer
Fraser McNaughton, Chief Marketing Officer & National Head of Industry
Simon Coulton, National Managing Partner – Audit (New appointment to SLT)
Paul Gooley, National Managing Partner – Financial Advisory and Consulting (New appointment to SLT)
Nicole Bradley, National Managing Partner – Private Business Tax & Advisory (Newly appointed to role but existing Executive)
Daniel Kave, National Managing Partner – Tax (New appointment to SLT)
Andrew Archer, National Managing Partner – Risk, Quality and Excellence
Matt Byrnes, Head of Mergers & Acquisitions (New appointment to SLT)
Nick Mellos, Head of Office Chairs & Community (New appointment to SLT)
Sue Alcock, Executive Administrator
Press release
Grant Thornton announces new Strategic Leadership Team
25 Jun 2025
Following the appointment of new CEO, Said Jahani, Grant Thornton announces its new Strategic Leadership Team effective from 1 July 2025.
The evolved leadership structure reflects the firm’s commitment to deliver the best possible client experience, accelerate its growth trajectory, enact faster decision-making, and continue to drive the firm’s purpose to care for its people, clients and communities by supporting them to thrive.
Grant Thornton CEO-Elect, Said Jahani said: “Leadership brings both privilege and responsibility in shaping Grant Thornton’s future and the goal is to significantly grow the firm and move at pace. As I take on the role of CEO and consider the composition of our new Strategic Leadership Team, I have balanced the firm’s growth ambitions with prioritising organisational stability – all within a structure designed for agility and speed. This is the team I believe we need to enable us to deliver on our firm’s strategic aspirations. These new appointments will also create pathways for us to accelerate our exceptional talent within our various teams and provide opportunities for diverse and talented Partners to step into leadership roles across all levels throughout our firm.”
The key updates include unifying the leadership of Financial Advisory and Consulting service lines under Partner, Paul Gooley to capitalise on market opportunities and unlock greater value for clients by providing end-to-end solutions that cover both operational and financial solutions. The new structure also establishes a dedicated in-house Mergers & Acquisitions function, whose mandate will be to identify and attract lateral hires and potential acquisitions who are both strategically and culturally aligned to Grant Thornton. This role will be led by Partner, Matt Byrnes which will support the firm’s growth strategy.
The existing C-suite leaders will continue as integral members of the Executive team. These seasoned leaders have the proven capability to execute the firm’s ambitious agenda while maintaining the operational excellence Grant Thornton’s clients, people and communities have come to expect.
Said Jahani continued: “I would like to thank the outgoing members of the firm’s Executive as well as congratulate the new incoming members of the Strategic Leadership Team.”
Grant Thornton’s Strategic Leadership Team effective from 1 July 2025:
Said Jahani, Chief Executive Officer
Michelle Watson, Chief Financial Officer
Ben Swindale, Chief Technology Officer
Kate Lindwall, Chief People & Culture Officer
Fraser McNaughton, Chief Marketing Officer & National Head of Industry
Simon Coulton, National Managing Partner – Audit (New appointment to SLT)
Paul Gooley, National Managing Partner – Financial Advisory and Consulting (New appointment to SLT)
Nicole Bradley, National Managing Partner – Private Business Tax & Advisory (Newly appointed to role but existing Executive)
Daniel Kave, National Managing Partner – Tax (New appointment to SLT)
Andrew Archer, National Managing Partner – Risk, Quality and Excellence
Matt Byrnes, Head of Mergers & Acquisitions (New appointment to SLT)
Nick Mellos, Head of Office Chairs & Community (New appointment to SLT)
Sue Alcock, Executive Administrator
Experts / Authors
Mikala Spark
Senior Communications Manager at Grant Thornton Australia
