Gareth Turner

I’m a director in our Complex Projects and Transactions team, based in Manchester, and I lead our growth in the North of England. I advise public and private sector clients on procurement under the Procurement Act 2023, and on financial and commercial strategy, mostly across transport, infrastructure and energy. Many of my clients are mayoral strategic authorities, combined authorities and central government bodies. I started my career at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), where I spent 11 years in finance, policy and strategy roles, before joining Grant Thornton in 2022. 

I enjoy the moment a complicated problem becomes clear enough for a decision. I was programme director for a nationally significant offshore wind procurement, leading a multi-disciplinary team from pre-qualification to completion. I’ve also advised on national rail reform, including providing assurance on the operating model design for a new national body, and I support mayoral strategic authorities with major procurements, including bus franchising. At TfGM, I led the development of Metrolink’s zonal fare structure and Our Pass, which gives 16 to 18-year-olds free bus travel in Greater Manchester. Having worked on the client side, I know the pressures decision makers face, so I aim to give clear, practical answers and to be honest about the trade-offs. 

Outside work, I’m a keen fell runner and happiest on a long day in the hills. I care about education and social mobility, and I’ve served on the board of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Care Leavers Trust and as a governor at a large further education college.