Grant Thornton promotes Matt Tierney to Global Insurance Practice Leader
Grant Thornton, a professional services firm focused on the mid-market, recently announced the appointment of Matt Tierney to one of its most senior roles, as the firm’s Global Insurance Practice Leader. He is based out of the firm’s Philadelphia office, in the United States.
Matt Tierney has been with Grant Thornton since 2011, throughout the time working across its global footprint, including in the US, UK, Bermuda and Germany. In his most recent role at the accounting and consulting firm, he was the Insurance Practice Leader for the Advisory arm, focusing on business consulting services, supporting clients, as well as the firm’s internal teams, with the development of capabilities and solutions to address often rapidly changing market conditions.
According to a recent study by McKinsey & Company, the global insurance industry risks seeing its profits eroded by digital competition, including InsurTechs. While technology is by many executives seen as the key opportunity going forward, a large share of insurance companies are struggling with their digital transformation challenges.
Between 2000 and 2011, Tierney worked at Smart Business Advisory and Consulting, latterly as a Senior Manager. He started his career at Sungard Data Systems in 1998, as a Staff Tax Accountant. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Widener University.
The appointment sees Tierney become the firm’s Global Insurance Practice Leader – tasked with supporting the firm’s firm leaders, across its network of more than 130 countries, deal with increasingly complex issues pertaining to insurance and serve their clients adequately. His principal experience lies across the property & casualty, health and life insurance lines.
Commenting on this appointment, Tierney remarked, “Grant Thornton is well-suited to help the insurance industry, which faces many challenges, including the need for greater operational efficiency and incorporating technology. The pressure on insurance companies to thrive in a new age of customer acquisition and engagement will require significant investment in both areas to help them stay relevant.”
New leadership in Ireland
Grant Thornton recently also unveiled the new Managing Partner of its Irish arm. Michael McAteer will take on the role at the turn of the year, following a nine year stint at the accounting and consulting firm. The move follows the stepping down of incumbent Paul McCann, who has served two terms in the role. McCann will continue as a Partner in the firm’s Irish Financial Services wing and also head up the European banking group of Grant Thornton International.
