Aishwarya was born in India, grew up in Muscat, Oman, and moved to the UK to study at Warwick. Nearly a decade on, she's an Associate Director in Grant Thornton's Transactions Tax team, working nationally on deals for corporate and private equity-backed clients. Outside work, she's an avid tennis fan and a long-standing Novak Djokovic supporter.
Read Aishwarya's full career story, in her own words:
A conversation that changed the course of things
Looking back on the process nearly nine years ago, I interviewed for a graduate role in Employment Taxes, since the Corporation Tax places had already been filled. In conversation after my interview, I mentioned my interest in Corporation Tax, and the team found a way to accommodate that. It's one of those moments that, in hindsight, changed the course of my career. What stood out was how invested people seemed in my success from the very beginning.
Throughout the process, the recruiters made me feel like part of the Grant Thornton community before I'd even joined. That early support left a lasting impression, and it's something I've valued ever since.
To me, Grant Thornton was the best of both big and small: the scale, variety and opportunities of a large firm, with a more personal and collaborative culture. Most of all, it was the people. Everyone was approachable, supportive and genuinely invested in helping others develop, and nearly a decade later that's still one of the things I value most.
Building a career in transactions
I joined Grant Thornton in 2017 on the Corporate Tax compliance graduate scheme, working out of Milton Keynes, which has been my home office ever since. In my second year, while studying for the ACA and CTA, I started picking up transactions work alongside compliance. I was drawn to the pace of deals, the exposure to taxes beyond corporation tax, and the chance to see a transaction through from start to finish.
After qualifying as a CTA, I focused increasingly on transactions while still managing key compliance clients. A few years ago, I moved into transactions full time. I now work nationally across a broad range of deals for both corporate and private equity-backed clients, as part of a much larger team than the one I started in.
The breadth, not one project
Rather than a single project standing out, it's the breadth of work I've been able to get involved in. I've worked on distressed transactions, tax structuring around employee benefit trusts, and several complex cross-border deals, each with its own commercial and technical challenges. No two transactions are the same, and I've often found myself tackling unfamiliar issues and stepping outside my comfort zone. The most rewarding part is seeing the impact of the work, whether that's a successful outcome on a complex deal or positive feedback from clients and colleagues.
What surprised me most is how much of the job is about people. A lot of the role is understanding how a client operates, balancing competing priorities, keeping projects moving at pace, and communicating well with clients and their advisers. The technical tax work still matters, but the people and commercial side of it is far more critical than I expected.
Support that goes beyond training
We have a strong learning environment, and the accessibility of senior colleagues and partners is something I've always appreciated. Clear communication, regular feedback, open conversations about career progression, and being trusted with opportunities, have all helped me grow technically and professionally. We also have a collaborative peer group where we share experiences, learnings and challenges. That combination of support, feedback and trust has played a big part in my development.
A national team that doesn't feel like one
No single day is the same. I might start with a planned to-do list and, by lunchtime, be dealing with something completely different as priorities shift with a deal. That unpredictability keeps the role interesting rather than monotonous.
I also value the flexibility in how we work. Some days start with a trip to the gym, others end with a Pilates class, which helps me balance work and personal commitments while still delivering for clients and the team. On any given day I might be advising on a transaction, reviewing reports, managing client relationships, supporting junior colleagues, or helping drive wider team initiatives.
Although we're a national team spread across different offices, it rarely feels that way. We have a lively team chat, regular catch-ups, team socials, end-of-month drinks, Christmas parties and the annual ski trip. There's a genuine culture of recognising effort and celebrating success together, whether that's feedback after a project, a thank you from a colleague, or recognition from senior team members. Those moments are what make you feel like you're part of a team that wants you to succeed.
What's exciting me now
What excites me most about my role is the variety of projects, the people I work with, and the relationships I build with clients. It's also a genuinely exciting time for the team and the firm: we're continuing to grow, taking on a broader range of work, and benefiting from Cinven's investment in our technology and capabilities. I'm particularly interested in the way we're starting to use AI to add value in a transactions environment.
If someone I knew was thinking about applying, I'd tell them this: you'll take on real responsibility, be surrounded by people who genuinely want to see you succeed, and you won't be doing it on your own. Whether it's discussing career goals, asking for help on a project, or just having a chat over coffee, people here are approachable and willing to invest in your development.
Ready to build something similar? Aishwarya went from a graduate compliance scheme to Associate Director in Transactions Tax, working nationally on complex deals. If that kind of breadth and support is what you're looking for in your next move, explore our current opportunities.