Charlie Hamilton boosts Grant Thornton transport advisory wing

Grant Thornton UK has bolstered its public services transport advisory offering with the appointment of Charlie Hamilton. Joining the firm as partner, he brings more than 15 years of transport sector experience to the firm.

Andy Boak, head of transport, public services advisory, Grant Thornton UK, said, “We are delighted to welcome Charlie to our team as we continue to grow our advisory services to the bus sector. His expertise will be invaluable in driving growth in this area facing significant change. As a firm, we are committed to delivering exceptional service to the public sector and local transport faces many challenges. Charlie will play a key role in further strengthening our offering as we support the creation of more sustainable local economies across the UK by improving transport connections.”

Hamilton has held numerous senior roles within transport industry. A former Deloitte director, Hamilton has also served as a former managing director of multiple bus and coach companies, and as a trusted adviser to the sector. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, he is experienced in advising local and national governments, operators and investors from across the transport sector. 

The UK Grant Thornton member firm is led by over 200 partners and employs over 5,500 of the profession’s brightest minds. In his role as partner, Hamilton will be focused on further strengthening the firm’s advisory offering to the UK’s bus and local transport sector. This includes bus reform, funding and regulatory change, supporting local authorities and bus operators through ongoing market challenges, and advising on growth and innovation opportunities.  

He has particular focus and expertise in local transport, specifically the bus sector, including funding, financing, regulation, reform and long-term strategy to reverse the decline of patronage. In addition to the bus sector, Hamilton also specialises in advising authorities and developers of mass transit schemes from concept through to mobilisation. He is also a trustee of the national transport charity Campaign for Better Transport, and Independent Vice-Chair of the North-East Bus Partnership Board. 

Speaking on his appointment, Hamilton added, “Throughout history, the agglomeration of economies and economic growth have always centred around transport routes, whether that be the wagons heading west in America, the Silk Road in Asia, the Camal trains of the Arabian Peninsula – economic growth comes from high quality transport connectivity. I am passionate about the opportunities that this can offer and am excited to be joining Grant Thornton and to be part of a team that makes a tangible difference through enabling better transport connections.”