Grant Thornton invests in Belfast, creating 71 new jobs
Professional services Grant Thornton has announced it will create 71 new jobs in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The new jobs follow the firm’s expansion in the city with its new premises and will range from roles for school leavers to experienced professionals. The firm will receive grants from Invest Northern Ireland to realise the creation of the jobs.
UK’s Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Jonathan Bell has announced the plan of accounting and consulting firm Grant Thornton to create 71 new jobs in Belfast, Northern Ireland, bringing the firm’s headcount in the city up to 400. Bell made the announcement at the opening of the firm’s new offices in Belfast, saying: “This is an important strategic investment by Grant Thornton, one of the world’s leading independent assurance, tax and advisory firms. […] This decision to expand is a boost for Northern Ireland’s economy and further emphasises the value which Grant Thornton places on the skilled and educated workforce available here.”
To create the 71 new jobs, with combined salaries of £1.2 million, Grant Thornton will receive grants from Invest Northern Ireland (NI), a regional business development agency, of up to £202,000. “Invest NI assistance has acted as the catalyst to securing the continued services of this firm in Northern Ireland and the creation of 71 new jobs in this location against competition from other Grant Thornton offices in the Republic of Ireland and the rest of the UK,” Bell explains.
Mark Cardiff, Head of Audit at Grant Thornton UK, adds: “This expansion and opening of our new audit services premises in Belfast marks an exciting chapter in our growth. The quality of our new people and their enthusiasm has exceeded our highest expectations. We are excited to start working with our new team and driving forward the capabilities we have created in Northern Ireland. Invest NI’s on-going assistance has been a key factor in this growth. The support for this project will allow us to strengthen our competitive edge and seek new business opportunities whilst continuing to provide excellent service to all of our clients.”
The new roles will be crated across a variety of functions, providing opportunities for people at various stages of their career, from school leavers to experienced professionals.
“These new positions represent the first step of a growth programme for Grant Thornton in Northern Ireland over the coming years. The professionals employed will be based in Northern Ireland, providing specialist tax, audit and advisory services to local businesses. Grant Thornton (NI) has witnessed significant growth over the last 12 months and we expect this trend to continue as we build the team and the firm’s offering of services to an expanding client base,” concludes Richard Gillan, Partner in Charge of Grant Thornton Northern Ireland.
Belfast
This is the third time within nine months’ time that a large professional services firm has decided to invest in Northern Ireland and create new jobs in Belfast. In the second half of 2014 Deloitte announced an investment of £30 million to create 338 new jobs in the coming five years, while PwC unveiled an investment of £40 million in Belfast, creating 800 new jobs.
