Grant Thornton appoints new leads for Retail, Energy and Mining industry groups
Grant Thornton has announced the appointment of Kirsten Ridgway as its new National Head of Retail and Consumer Products, alongside the appointment of Will Kendall as National Head of Mining and Mining Services, and Kate Bonner as National Head of Energy and Renewables.
These appointments strengthen Grant Thornton’s ability to service key industries experiencing significant change, investment and opportunity by providing sharper sector insight, clearer market focus, and more relevant support for clients.
As Head of Retail and Consumer Products, Kirsten Ridgway will lead Grant Thornton’s national industry focus for clients navigating a retail environment shaped by changing consumer behaviour, margin pressure, digital transformation, supply chain complexity and the growing importance of operational resilience.
“The pace of change across retail and consumer products continues to accelerate. Businesses are balancing evolving customer expectations, margin pressure and the need to build more resilient operations. I'm looking forward to working with our teams and clients to help them respond to these challenges and create sustainable growth,” said Kirsten Ridgway.
Grant Thornton’s decision to create separate Mining and Mining Services, and Energy and Renewables leadership roles recognises that while the sectors remain connected, they are shaped by increasingly distinct commercial priorities, investment cycles and client needs. With mining and mining services responding to changing demand, capital allocation and productivity expectations, and energy and renewables experiencing rapid transition, regulation and new infrastructure, dedicated leadership will give each sector a clearer market voice, while enabling close collaboration and more targeted support for clients.
Will Kendall has been appointed to the newly created role of National Head of Mining and Mining Services, with a dedicated focus on assisting clients navigate market dynamics, capital discipline, operating models and investment trends.
“The Mining and Mining Services sector continues to play a critical role in Australia’s economy, with businesses balancing growth opportunities against increasing expectations around productivity, sustainability and capital discipline. I’m looking forward to working with our clients and teams nationally to bring practical, sector-specific insight to the challenges and opportunities shaping mining and mining services,” said Will Kendall.
Kate Bonner has been appointed as National Head of Energy and Renewables, supporting clients as they respond to transition, investment and growth opportunities across a sector central to Australia’s future economy.
“The Energy and Renewables sector is central to Australia’s economic transition and long-term growth defined by a current period of high investment, innovation and change. I’m excited to help connect our clients with the expertise and insight they need as they respond to new opportunities across energy and renewables,” said Kate Bonner.
Grant Thornton Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Industry, Fraser McNaughton, said, “Kirsten, Will and Kate each bring strong sector insight, client understanding, and collaborative energy to their roles. These appointments will help us connect the depth of Grant Thornton’s capability around the issues that matter most to our clients, while continuing to build momentum across priority markets.”
“I would like to thank Wi Liem Chua for the energy and commitment he has brought to his role as outgoing head of the Retail group and to thank Tom Williams for his distinctive leadership of the Energy & Resources industry team. Both Wil and Tom have played a critical role in building the strength, credibility and market presence of these two core industry groups, and their contributions have laid a strong foundation for the next phase of growth,” continued Fraser McNaughton.
All three new leadership appointments were effective from 1 July.