Grant Thornton Australia to join international advisory platform

Grant Thornton Australia has finalized an acquisition to join the Grant Thornton Advisors multinational platform, expanding its operations across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region. The transaction introduces six new offices and 1,500 additional personnel to Grant Thornton Advisors' Asia-Pacific operations, complementing the existing 300-person workforce at Grant Thornton New Zealand.

Jim Peko, CEO of Grant Thornton Advisors and the leader of the multinational platform, expressed excitement about the transaction, stating that it opens a new door for growth, bringing the necessary leadership, talent, and quality to further expand the singular model within the Asia-Pacific region. Peko emphasized the importance of building capabilities at scale across worldwide markets to move and grow with clients, invest in the best technologies, and create more opportunities for employees.

The agreement with the Australian practice was signed in April, following a separate transaction announced in July, in which Grant Thornton Advisors acquired US-based company CBIZ. Upon completing the CBIZ acquisition, the multinational platform is expected to span more than two dozen countries and territories, with a total workforce of over 35,000 professionals.

Grant Thornton Australia CEO, Said Jahani, will assume the additional role of Asia-Pacific CEO within the platform, reporting directly to Peko. Jahani's appointment is effective immediately, and he will focus on cross-border expansion, improving service delivery, managing operational quality, technology implementation, and client relations across the Asia-Pacific territory.

Jahani highlighted the Asia-Pacific region as one of the most dynamic growth markets globally, stressing the importance of building a platform with the required talent, technology, and connectivity for the region. He expressed pride in creating new opportunities for clients and employees, emphasizing the joint goal of moving faster, operating more confidently, and succeeding across borders.