Barry Dean joins Forensics practice of Grant Thornton
Barry Dean has returned to Grant Thornton as the firm’s Head of Forensic Investigations for the Public Sector. He brings more than 25 years of experience to the role, which includes high value contracts within the UK’s central government. Dean aims to create specialisation within the practice of forensic accounting, which has historically tended towards generalisation.
Barry Dean started his career at Grant Thornton in 1989, working his way up over a period of almost 20 years, primarily in public sector forensic accounting. In 2007, he moved to rival KPMG, taking on the role of Senior Manager. His many years of experience in public sector accounting saw Dean work across the firm’s public sector practice, performing fraud and misconduct investigations, and forensic accounting.
Dean graduated from the University of Bath with a BSc in Statistics, and is a Charted Accountant in England and Wales.
Dean re-joins Grant Thornton as Head of Forensic Investigations for the Public Sector. He brings more than 25 years of experience to the new role, having worked across the public sectors, including for local and central government, NHS, social housing and education. He has worked on a number of politically sensitive contracts in central government, where there have been allegations of irregularities or misrepresentation or fraud.
In his new role, leading a team of five, Dean will be responsible for furthering Grant Thornton’s forensic investigations in the public sector, as well as spearhead the firm’s capabilities and develop the internal audit practice and client base. Dean will also aim at creating specialisation within forensic accounting, which he sees as beneficiary to the practice. He explains: “Forensic accountants tend to be generalists. They’ll move between sectors. I think there’s merit in being a specialist and focusing on just one sector.”
Commenting on his appointment, Dean says: “Grant Thornton has a market-leading presence in the public sector and I am excited to further extend the breadth of offering by enhancing the firm's capabilities in investigation services. I am delighted to be given the opportunity to work with a first class client base and to utilise my experience to help add further value.”
According to Will Davies, Head of Grant Thornton’s Forensic and Investigation Services, Dean’s decision to move back to Grant Thornton is highly appreciated. “Barry has considerable experience across a wide range of public sector investigations, which is a key area of growth for us, and we are thrilled to welcome him back to the firm,” Davies comments. “The public sector is under increased pressure to deliver more with less, whilst demonstrating probity with public funds and Barry’s appointment underlines our commitment to help our public sector clients achieve exactly that.”