Press Release
Grant Thornton UK CEO named social mobility Champion of the Year
03 Oct 2025
Grant Thornton UK is proud to announce that its CEO, Malcolm Gomersall, has been named social mobility Champion of the Year at the 2025 Social Mobility Awards (SOMOs). The prestigious accolade celebrates a senior leader who has had the imagination to ‘think big’ and is helping tackle social mobility in the UK through their vision, commitment and leadership.
A longstanding advocate for improving social mobility, both within Grant Thornton and across the wider industry, Malcolm was recognised for his work in building a more diverse and equitable workforce at Grant Thornton, championing initiatives that look beyond academic achievement when seeking talent, and supporting early intervention to tackle barriers to social mobility. His own experiences – shaped by his upbringing and career journey – have fueled his passion for making the workplace more accessible to people from all backgrounds.
Prior to becoming CEO, Malcolm held several leadership positions at Grant Thornton over the past decade, helping to shape the firm’s strategy with inclusion and diversity at its core and embedding the cultural framework that underpins the firm today. Beyond Grant Thornton, Malcolm has contributed to several industry-wide initiatives aimed at increasing opportunities for people from lower socio-economic backgrounds, including serving as a founding patron group member of the Access Accountancy programme. He is also a member of the Business in the Community (BITC) Leadership Council.
Malcolm Gomersall commented: “At Grant Thornton, we believe social mobility is about creating a fairer society – one where everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to thrive and feel valued in a high-performing environment. I am deeply honoured to receive this award, which reflects the continued dedication of our entire team to making meaningful change.”
Tunde Banjoko OBE, CEO and Founder of Making the Leap, said: “Tackling social mobility takes vision, commitment and leadership. This award celebrates a senior leader who has had the imagination to ‘think big’. By embedding and promoting initiatives that address social mobility across their organisation, to being a proud advocate for change, Malcolm is a leader making change happen by being a visible, pioneering voice to improve the life chances of those people who really need our help.”
Founded by the Making the Leap social mobility charity, the SOMO awards recognise organisations and individuals who are prioritising social mobility through recruitment and progression programmes, community outreach or by creating innovative change within Britain’s companies and institutions.
To hear more about Malcolm’s passion for social mobility, you can listen to this recent episode of The Social Mobility Podcast, in which he speaks to Tunde Banjoko OBE about how Grant Thornton is building a more diverse and equitable workforce.
