Grant Thornton is significantly revamping its early careers program for its September 2027 intake, aiming to become the leading destination for graduates and school leavers in the UK accountancy and professional services sector. This initiative, spurred by private equity investment from Cinven, includes an ambition for market-leading starting pay, a digitally focused curriculum, and a clear pathway to partnership. The firm plans to increase its UK graduate recruitment by 30% this year, hiring 340 graduates and school leavers, marking its highest intake in three years.
Abigail Fisher, Grant Thornton's Chief People Officer, highlighted that the redesigned program is driven by five core ambitions: attracting top students, boosting the firm's profile in the graduate market, delivering future-proof digital training, offering the highest starting salaries in the sector, and developing individuals capable of reaching partnership. This strategic move aims to create a genuine pipeline to partnership, contrasting with the trend of reduced entry-level hiring among some larger professional services firms.
This growth strategy extends beyond early careers, as Grant Thornton plans to recruit 160 new partners over the next two years, having already appointed 32 equity partners this year. The firm emphasizes providing all new partners with equity from the outset, fostering an ownership mindset. The investment from Cinven, which valued Grant Thornton UK at up to $1.5 billion, is accelerating this growth, with Fisher noting that while there is pressure and pace, it is managed in a way that fuels growth without compromise.
