Our people stories

After studying post-grad music performance at the Royal College of Music in 2011, Alison Dodd started her career as a music teacher before re-training to become a primary school teacher in 2014, so she is no stranger to studying alongside working. After joining as a tax associate in 2023, Alison reflects on the different routes her career has taken, and life as a career-changer trainee.

Careers can take many forms and follow different trajectories and Bekkah McWilliams’ career since joining the firm shows how that can come to life, with linear moves, promotions with three different teams, and counting.

We chatted with Preet about her journey to Grant Thornton and how her varied experiences shaped her career. From early roles in professional services to quickly moving up the ranks at the firm, Preet's story shows the power of grabbing opportunities, having a supportive workplace, and championing working mothers.

Elena joined our Valuations Team in January 2023, after a three-year break from the workplace. We caught up with her about her first year here, how she re-adjusted to work and to get her advice to others considering a return to work.

With a career spanning almost 40 years at the firm, Fiona has worked in multiple service lines and became one of the first non-fee earning partners in the firm. With a focus now on developing female talent, Fiona shared what has kept her here for her whole career, and what success means in a non-commercial role.

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Tax Associate Hannah Knightbridge joined us as a school leaver in 2023, and in 2024 was selected to play for the England Future Roses Netball team. Studying alongside working full time is one thing, add in playing netball at this level is quite another. This is Hannah’s story about how she chose an apprenticeship, and has prioritised work and netball in a way that works for her, and the firm.

Since graduating from university in 2016 Michael has worked in research for a financial company, marketing for Grant Thornton and he is now a trainee within our Transaction Advisory Services (TAS) team. Michael talks about the decisions that led to his different career paths, and making decisions to get to a future goal as well as stepping back to being a trainee after 6 years of working. This is Michael’s story in his own words.

In 2013, Parris Williams began his career at Grant Thornton as an audit trainee after graduating from the University of York. He joined our Public Sector Audit team and embarked on a learning journey that combined professional qualifications, internal training and hands-on experience. In less than a decade, Parris progressed to director.

We spoke to Jon about his career journey, from admin in the civil service to Associate Director at the firm. Read about the support he’s had to develop his career, how flexible working keeps him connected to his London-based team from Liverpool, and what he has in his sights for 2025.

Bethany joined us on our apprentice programme. We spoke to Bethany to find out more about her experiences here, and how she has been encouraged to progress, both personally and professionally.

Janica joined the UK firm on secondment from Grant Thornton Philippines in October 2022, after working as an Overseas Team Member (OTM) for two years. Returning to the Philippines, Janica will be taking her knowledge of the UK firm back with her as she continues her role as an OTM.