“Finding the right balance” by Fiona Baldwin

back

Audit and assurance
Consulting
Cyber
Deals
Environmental, social and governance (ESG)
Financial services advisory
Forensics and investigations
Government and public sector
Insolvency and global asset recovery
International
Restructuring
Risk
Tax

Our services can strengthen your business and stakeholders' confidence. You'll receive professionally verified results and insights that help you grow.

Outsourced accounting services
Every business is different, the challenges they face vary but all need bespoke solutions. Businesses also share common ground when it comes to striving for reducing costs and improving efficiencies.
Royalty and intellectual property audit
Intellectual property (IP) is valuable and one of the challenges for you as an IP owner, whether in film, TV, book publishing or consumer products, is ensuring that you are receiving all royalties due to you.
Pensions
Assurance and financial reporting is key, and reporting with independent opinion gives confidence to trustees to support their governance processes.
Healthcare assurance
Our healthcare assurance team supports local and national NHS bodies improve the quality of their clinical data and cost information to accurately reflect the care delivered
Contract assurance
We know how complex accounting for large contracts can be. The services sector relies on successful deals and risks being isolated and understood.

Consulting

Seize new opportunities, and navigate through any complexities and risks

Brexit and political risk advisory
We can help you navigate political volatility.
Business consulting
Challenges are specific and solutions do not translate perfectly from one business to another, which is why you told us you want a fully customised approach to professional services.
Corporate simplification
Having too many companies in your group structure can be expensive, and the changing financial reporting and regulatory landscape can lead to additional compliance work.
Economic consulting
Bespoke guidance grounded in complex economic theory and practical sector insight to help you make the right decisions.
Governance advisory
Helping you future proof your governance and decision-making structures
International services
To ensure the continuity of service you expect, our International Business Centres (IBC), led by our experts from around the world, work together to coordinate and provide global delivery.
People advisory
Create value by attracting, retaining and developing an agile and resilient workforce for continued business success.
Strategy
Our Strategy and Modelling capabilities are focused on helping management teams make better, more rigorous and quantified business decisions

Cyber

Cyber crime is on the rise and you need to protect your business. We offer tailored security solutions for your firm.

Respond: Data breach, incident response and computer forensics
Are you prepared for a cyber failure? We can help you avoid data breaches and offer support if the worst happens.
Comply: Cyber security regulation and compliance
Cyber security regulation and compliance is constantly evolving. Our team can support you through the digital landscape.
Protect: Cyber security strategy, testing and risk assessment
Cyber security threats are constantly evolving. We’ll work with you to develop and test robust people, process and technology defences to protect your data and information assets.

Related insights:

Article Capital markets: top 10 themes and trends for 2022

24 Mar 2022

We entered the third pandemic year with stronger economic growth than expected yet continuing economic challenges and geopolitical fragility. We're facing uncertainties that require careful navigation by market participants, governments and central banks. Our capital markets team considers key areas for 2022.

Deals

Growing your business profitably against a tough economic backdrop is challenging and correctly evaluating and delivering transactions is a key part of a...

Corporate finance
We combine award-winning technical expertise with the intuition, insight and confidence gained from our extensive sector experience and a deeper understanding of our clients.
Debt advisory
Working with borrowers and private equity financial sponsors on raising and refinancing debt. We can help you find the right lender and type of debt products.
Financial accounting advisory services (FAAS)
Our FAAS team can support your finance function with the flexible resource they need to get results.
Financial modelling
Models are at the heart of all business decisions. Whether you're looking to raise finance, buy or sell a business, assess strategic options, or just plan for the future, you're going to need a forecast. This is likely to come from a financial model.
Operational deal services
Most transactions fail to achieve their goals. There are many reasons for failure.
Our credentials
Search our transactions to see our experience in your sector and explore the deals advisory services we've delivered.
Restructuring
Protect and realise value throughout times of uncertainty, stress and distress
Transaction advisory services
Whether buying or selling, we help you get the deal done with our comprehensive range of transaction advisory services.
Valuations
The Valuations team has wide experience in valuations of private companies. We serve enterprises of all types and sizes, covering a wide range of industries

Environmental, social and governance (ESG)

Our pragmatic approach will help you maximise your ESG strategy and reporting.

The ESG agenda
Shape your ESG agenda by identifying the right metrics, sustainable development and potential business value impact.
ESG driven business transition
Whatever your ESG strategy, we can support your organisation as it evolves while maximising efficiency and profitability.
ESG programme and change management
Do you have the right capabilities to drive the delivery of your ESG strategy to realise your targets?
ESG risk management
You must protect, comply, understand and influence to successfully manage the risk involved with ESG issues. We can help.
ESG strategy, risk and opportunity identification
We can help you clearly define your ESG Strategy, with the risks and opportunities identified and managed.
Create value through effective ESG communication
Building trust and engagement with your stakeholders on your ESG strategy.
ESG metrics, targets and disclosures
The pressure to report your ESG progress is growing. Do your targets measure up?
ESG governance, leadership and culture framework
Make the most of ESG opportunities by effectively embedding your strategy across your organisation.
ESG and non-financial assurance
Support your board to be confident in supplying robust information that withstands scrutiny.

Financial services advisory

Get market-driven expertise to achieve your goals in banking, insurance, capital markets, and investment management.

Actuarial and risk
Grant Thornton's Actuarial and Risk team provides market leading actuarial and risk management advice to clients in the financial services sector and further afield. We consult extensively to the life insurance, general insurance, health insurance and pensions sectors as well as providing financial modelling and financial instrument valuation services more widely.
Business consulting
The Financial Services Business Consulting (FSBC) practice is able to harness the skills, knowledge and experience within the Financial Services Group, to provide a full suite of services across the delivery lifecycle, from strategic advisory to assurance. FSBC provides market-leading consulting and advisory services to the banking sector.
Business risk services
Our market-driven expertise helps firms keep growing and manage risk in an evolving regulatory landscape.
Financial crime
Helping you fight financial crime in a constantly changing environment
Financial services tax
In the Financial Services tax team, we provide tax advice to businesses from all over the world. We combine technical expertise with a commercial approach based on experience and deep industry understanding.
Insurance audit, assurance and advisory
Today’s financial services environment is the subject of increasingly rigorous governance, accounting and regulatory requirements. In the light of this, we provide a truly robust and independent service to undertake external audits with a defined, industry-specific audit approach that is specifically tailored to the relevant sector.
Leasing and consumer finance
We are a unique team in the accountancy profession and combine vast industry, product, and asset knowledge with a core service offering which adds real value to our clients.
Litigation support
Our in-depth understanding of the industry, and our sensitivity to conflicts make us the ideal choice for law firms and lawyers looking for unrivalled levels of service. We provide a wide range of litigation support and investigation services to the financial services industry.
Regulatory and compliance
Regulatory and compliance - We provide an exceptional level of regulatory and compliance support to both retail and wholesale organisations across the financial services industry.
Risk and capital management
We help businesses determine which capital risk management approach fits them best, ensuring that compliance is a natural by-product and not the primary driver. While the regulatory dimensions of capital risk management are growing at an unprecedented pace, it is our understanding of the links between risk, capital and performance that benefits our clients.
Transactions and restructuring
We carry out a wide range of transaction support services, including due diligence and business reviews to support acquisitions, lending transactions, acting as reporting accountants for financial businesses seeking a listing or trading on the capital markets.

Forensics and investigations

Our forensic and investigations team will support you on investigations, dispute resolution and computer forensics.

Computer forensics
Computer forensics - We can report on metadata and provenance, internet activity, external connections and copying, destruction of evidence, smart devices, and we can conduct detailed forensic searches.
Corporate intelligence
Corporate intelligence often involves cross-border complexities. Our experienced team can offer support.
Cyber advisory
Our cyber team helps you to identify and guard against potential cyber risks to your organisation and mitigate against data leaks and hacks
Disputes advisory
Our team advises on quantum and other accounting or financial issues in commercial disputes, including acting as expert witness in litigation and arbitration.
Financial crime
Helping you fight financial crime in a constantly changing environment
Financial services investigations
We are market leaders in conducting and supporting investigations within the financial services industry
Forensic data analytics
Our forensic data analytics team are helping businesses sift the truth from their data. See how we can help your firm.
International arbitration
International arbitration has become the principal dispute resolution method for the determination of complex international commercial disputes.
Matrimonial services
We provide a distinctive, high-quality and personalised service to family lawyers and individuals across the UK both pre and post-marriage.
Monitoring trustee and competition services
Monitoring trustee and competition services - We provide independent Monitoring Trustee services to competition, financial, security and other regulatory bodies.
Forensic investigations and special situations
Do you need clarity in an uncertain situation? If you're accused of wrongdoing we can help you get the facts right.

Government and public sector

Experience and expertise in delivering quality public sector advisory and audits.

Public sector advisory
To deliver excellent public services, local and central government need specialist support.
Public sector consulting
Helping public sector organisations maintain oversight of services and understand what's happening on the ground.
Public sector audit and assurance
As a leading UK auditor, we have unparalleled insights into the risks, challenges and opportunities that you face.
Public sector governance and risk
Although arguably necessary to bring order to public financing, the impact of the accelerated public sector funding cuts represents an unprecedented scale of funding reduction. While the sector has so far risen to the challenge, enduring service and financial pressures create risks and opportunities and have particular implications for governance, risk management and internal control.

Insolvency and global asset recovery

Navigate through distressing situations to recover your assets.

Cryptoasset recovery
Get guidance and technical expertise on digital finance and cryptoasset recovery from our dedicated crypto hub.
Grant Thornton Offshore
Grant Thornton Offshore is our one-stop global solution for insolvency, asset recovery, restructuring and forensics services.
Contentious estates and family disputes
Managing complex, high net worth and sensitive issues such as divorce to resolution
Corporate intelligence
When you're embarking on recovery proceedings, you have just a small window of opportunity to take meaningful action.
Litigation support
Our in-depth understanding of the industry, and our sensitivity to conflicts make us the ideal choice for law firms and lawyers looking for unrivalled levels of service. We provide a wide range of litigation support and investigation services to the financial services industry.
Personal insolvency
We are a leading provider of personal insolvency services, delivering practical solutions in a sensitive manner, maximising recoveries for creditors or by helping individuals seeking for appropriate debt relief solutions.

International

Our resources, connections and expertise are just a phone call away, wherever you are in the world.

Expand into new markets
Broadening your business horizons.
Finding the right international contacts
Introducing you to the people with the experience you need to succeed.
Getting more out of your existing international operations
How to stay in touch with, and make the most of changing markets.
Setting up in the UK
Practical advice and expert input for anyone moving into UK markets.

Restructuring

Our restructuring team help lenders, investors and management navigate contingency plans, restructuring and insolvency.

Contingency planning and administrations
In times of financial difficulty, it is vital that directors explore all the options that are available to them, including having a robust ‘Plan B’.
Corporate restructuring
Corporate restructuring can be a difficult time. Let our team make the process simple and as stress-free as possible.
Creditor advisory
We act as financial adviser to mainstream lenders, credit funds, special situation funds, security trustees and surety providers.
Debt advisory
Our debt advisory team can find the right lender to help you in restructuring. Find out how our experts can support you.
Financial services restructuring and insolvency
Financial services restructuring and insolvency is a competitive marketplace. Our team can help you navigate this space.
Pensions advisory services
DB pension-schemes need a balanced approach that manages risk for trustees and sponsors in an uncertain economy.
Restructuring and insolvency tax
Tax will often be crucial in a plan to restructure a distressed business. Our team can guide you through the process.

Related insights:

Article What consumer spending cutbacks mean for lenders

Andy Charters

| 19 Jul 2022

What does the cut back in consumer spending mean for both speciality SME lenders and those who finance them?

Risk

Manage your risks to improve business performance

Compliance assurance
Since the financial crisis of 2008 the governance and conduct of financial services firms has been under increasing scrutiny.
Data analytics
Deeper insight through data analysis is becoming commonplace, increasing the value, commercial challenge and calibre of insight delivered to the business.
Enterprise risk management
Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) has been around for a long time, but many organisations have struggled to understand it or genuinely embrace it.
Finance and risk management services
Our clients continue to prepare for and implement a range of new regulatory requirements, whilst having to navigate the uncertain macro-economic environment and structural change affecting the industry.
Internal audit services
Recent high profile control failures and increased regulatory demands require organisations to gain independent and objective assurance over the effectiveness of internal controls and risk mitigation.
People, culture and organisation
Whilst it is recognised that culture is a key enabler of strategy, the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors has placed greater focus on the importance of organisations’ culture.
Projects, capital programmes and transformation
Delivering significant medium and long term shifts in strategic direction, competiveness or performance often requires effective delivery of significant and complex projects and transformation programmes.
Technology risk services
Technology has been a key driver for success and operational efficiency in all industries.
Third party and contract assurance
Delivery of critical business activities, both business as usual and projects, increasingly means working with external partners for goods and services.

Tax

Tax has always been complicated, but it's more important than ever to understand how the evolving tax landscape impacts you and your business.

Capital allowances (tax depreciation)
Advisory and tools to help you realise opportunities in capital allowances.
Corporate and international tax
Accurate returns, managing risk & maximising opportunity.
Employer solutions
It's a well-known fact that, in business, people are your greatest asset.
Indirect tax
In recent years, there has been a domestic and global trend of Governments shifting emphasis from direct to indirect taxation. Globally, while corporation tax rates have generally decreased, VAT rates have risen.
Our approach to tax
The Finance Act 2016 introduced the requirement for businesses like ours to publicise their tax strategies by the end of the 2018 financial year. We fully support such initiatives and believe that firms sharing their approach to tax can promote widespread transparency, build trust and benefit society as a whole.
Private
You'll know just how important it is to maximise and protect your personal wealth.
Real estate tax
The impact of the prolonged downturn continues to be felt in certain parts of the world but pockets of opportunity and optimism have emerged within the real estate. The UK real estate investment market has enjoyed high levels of capital inflow from a wide range of different investors groups and continues to be attractive.
Research and development tax incentives
We can help you prepare optimised and robust research and development tax claims.
Tax dispute resolution
We make it simple to stay compliant and avoid HMRC tax disputes
Tax risk management
We can help you manage your tax risk.
Transaction and restructuring tax
Undertaking a transaction, such as fundraising, refinancing, acquiring or disposing of a business or assets, or a more fundamental restructuring is an important step. Businesses, lenders and stakeholders need to understand the impact of that transaction.

Industries

Automotive
Business services
Consumer markets
Energy, energy transition, and environment
Financial services
Government and public sector
Industrials and manufacturing
Not for profit
Private sector healthcare
Real estate and construction
Technology, media and telecommunications (TMT)

Business services

Bringing insight-led guidance and diverse perspectives to help business support services achieve their ambitions

Skills and training
Get the right support to deliver corporate and vocational training that leads the way in an expanding market.
Private education
Insight and guidance for all businesses in the private education sector: from early years to higher education and edtech.
Facilities management and property services
Get insight and strategic support to take opportunities that protect resilience and drive UK and international growth.
Recruitment
Helping recruitment companies take opportunities to achieve their goals in a market where talent and skills are key.

Consumer markets

There are opportunities in consumer markets. Our experience, insight, and rigorous approach can help you take them.

Food and beverage (F&B)
We can help you find the right ingredients for growth in your food and beverage business.
Travel, tourism and leisure
Tap into our range of support for travel, tourism and leisure businesses in this period of challenge and change.
Retail, e-commerce and consumer products
With multiple challenges and opportunities in the fast-evolving retail sector, make sure you are ready for them.

Financial services

Regulatory change, pressure on cost management and growth, and increased investment in technology and data are dominating the financial services industry.

Banking
Our expertise and insight can help you respond positively to long term and emerging issues in the banking sector.
Capital markets
2020 is a demanding year for capital markets. Working with you, we're architecting the future of the sector.
Insurance
Our experienced expert team brings you technical expertise and insight to guide you through insurance sector challenges.
Investment management
Embracing innovation and shaping business models for long-term success.
Pensions
Pension provision is an essential issue for employers, and the role of the trustee is becoming increasingly challenging.

Related insights:

Technical Your guide to this week in regulation

Gavin Stewart

| 08 Aug 2022

Stay up to date with Gavin Stewart's latest round up of financial regulation.

Government and public sector

The pandemic is an unprecedented challenge for the public sector. The right strategic support is vital.

Central and devolved government
Helping central and devolved governments deliver change to improve our communities and grow our economies.
Infrastructure and transport
Delivering a successful transport or infrastructure project will require you to balance an often complex set of strategic issues.
Local government
Helping local government leverage technical and strategic expertise deliver their agendas and improve public services.
Regeneration development and housing
We provide commercial and strategic advice to assist your decision making in pursuing your objectives.
Transforming health and social care
Sharing insight and knowledge to deliver transformation and improvement to health and social care services.

Not for profit

Helping charities, education, social housing and other organisations to overcome pressures and achieve their goals.

Charities
Supporting you to achieve positive change in the UK charity sector.
Education and skills
The education sector has rarely faced more risk or more opportunity to transform. You need to plan for the future.
Social housing
We are committed to helping change social housing for the better, and can help you make the most of every opportunity.

Related insights:

Article Financial sustainability and organisational change

Paul Rao

| 06 Jul 2022

Charities forced to adapt funding and operating models by COVID-19 need to consider the risks – and opportunities.

Real estate and construction

The expertise you need in real estate advisory, audit, and tax to get the right strategy for your business.

Related insights:

Article Time to review funding and financing arrangements?

Wayne Butcher

| 21 Apr 2022

What does the funding landscape look like for public sector organisations in 2022?

Technology, media and telecommunications (TMT)

Are you ready to deliver on your growth ambitions? We work with TMT leaders to navigate the risks and opportunities.

Technology
We work with dynamic technology companies of all sizes to help them succeed and grow internationally.
Telecommunications
Take all opportunities to realise your goals in telecommunications: from business refresh to international expansion.
Media
Media companies must stay agile to thrive in today’s highly competitive market – we’re here to support your ambitions.

“I joined Grant Thornton after a six-year career break with my children. I was previously working at a Big 4 firm and knew that the working pattern I was looking for to enable me to balance home and work wouldn’t be possible there. Grant Thornton had a more open, inclusive attitude and seemed like a natural fit. I face the same challenges that anyone trying to balance work and home would face – the guilt that I’m not giving enough time to each part of my life is definitely ever-present. It took me a while to feel comfortable with being who I really am at work but the firm has been progressive in helping each of us achieve that. When I’ve needed to juggle work and life throughout my career, the firm has always been there to support me and I have never felt judged when I’ve needed to combine the two parts of my life. I am very aware that as a leader I want to create an environment where people of all genders feel that they can achieve their potential within the firm and are able to balance work and home effectively.”

Chapter 1: A musical start

I am your classic “non-accountant like” accountant in that my education was a long way from the business or professional world. I did music, French and German A levels then a music degree and a masters in music at Kings College, London. Many of my school holidays in my teenage years were spent travelling around the UK and Europe with the various youth orchestras I played with. However, towards the end of my masters degree, it dawned on me that I would need a job. I wasn’t good enough to be a soloist, I wanted more stability than to be an orchestral player and I didn’t have the patience to teach - so decided I needed a complete change. I made a list of what I wanted out of a career: variety, the opportunity to work abroad, a good standard of living and the chance to have a career break. My shortlist came down to accountancy or law. Looking into the training contracts, I would qualify a year earlier as an accountant rather than a lawyer, so I chose accountancy.

I joined Grant Thornton after a six-year career break with my children. I was previously working at a Big 4 firm and knew that the working pattern I was looking for to enable me to balance home and work wouldn’t be possible there. Grant Thornton had a more open, inclusive attitude and seemed like a natural fit. I face the same challenges that anyone trying to balance work and home would face – the guilt that I’m not giving enough time to each part of my life is definitely ever-present – even though my children are now adults. In addition to that, I’d say bandwidth and making sure that I am kind to myself by getting enough sleep to work and live effectively. It’s not uncommon for me to be asleep by 10pm as, that way, I know I’ll be fresh and focused the next day.

'I am very aware that as a leader I want to create an environment where people of all genders feel that they can achieve their potential within the firm and are able to balance work and home effectively.'

Chapter 2: Finding who I really am

I was very proud to be appointed into my current role as Head of Audit. It was a really stringent process in a short time frame and I needed to really steel myself to go through that process. It’s also been rewarding to have had won significant work over the years. I’m motivated by making a difference in life and making sure that the choices I make at home and work mean that I can have the kind of life I want to have. It took me a while to feel comfortable being who I really am at work but Grant Thornton is definitely a progressive firm in helping each of us achieve that. When I’ve needed to juggle work and life throughout my career, the firm has always been there to support me and I have never felt judged when I’ve needed to combine the two parts of my life.

I have a very deep sense of fairness and the importance of values. In my current role, that means a number of things - doing all I can to ensure that the audit practice within the firm runs effectively, such that everyone who has something to contribute in line with the firm's values gets the best opportunities to do so, and I am very aware that as a leader I want to create an environment where people of all genders feel that they can achieve their potential within the firm and are able to balance work and home effectively.

Chapter 3: Legacy

I want to leave a legacy where the firm is in a better position when I retire than it was when I became a partner. There have been times in my career and life when I’ve had to make tough decisions, which has required a real resilience and I’ve worked with both coaches and counsellors to help me through those challenging times. Being part of a journey where we are more profitable and can provide the career experience that creates opportunities for everyone in the firm is really important to me. I’d like to think that I make a positive difference to the people I work with and interact with along my life journey – that would be a perfect legacy for me. I’ve had the opportunity to hire a lot of talented people into the firm - particularly at partner/director level - who have gone on to be successful, which is a real achievement and something I’m very proud of.

Outside of work, my ambition is to see my kids through their education, safely settled into their careers and living somewhere that brings them happiness when they go home. I am incredibly proud of the adults my children have grown into. They are funny, kind, chilled and just take life in their stride, which is lovely to see. If only they weren’t so chronically messy, they’d be perfect!

Discover other unique and diverse stories of our people