Further growth at Grant Thornton’s Cork office with appointment of new partner

Grant Thornton Ireland has appointed Shane O’Neill as partner in financial services advisory at its Cork office. The move reflects the growing client demand for financial services and the firm’s continued investment in the Cork region. Hailing from Co. Kerry, Shane joined Grant Thornton’s Financial Services Advisory (FSA) team as head of technical change in 2021 and has significant expertise in the areas of strategic business transformation, digital, FinTech and RegTech innovation, as well as complex M&A programmes. With vast experience both locally and internationally, Shane is considered a key advisor in his area, and helps clients to shape, grow and launch their businesses.

Shane O’Neill is one of six new partners recently announced by Grant Thornton Ireland across several business units as the firm continues to grow in line with client demands across its locations in Ireland and beyond. The partner appointments in tax, corporate Finance, business consulting, finance operations and financial services advisory reflect a culture of promotion and ambition across the firm. Grant Thornton Ireland currently employs over 2,500 people across seven locations in Ireland, and has a presence in Bermuda, Gibraltar and the Isle of Man.

Speaking about his appointment, partner at Grant Thornton Shane O’Neill said “I am really delighted to be appointed to partner, a move which I feel is again reflective of the growing client demand in financial services for deep consulting expertise to support Digital and Technology transformation programs. Being based in Cork, my appointment shows Grant Thornton’s

Shane O’Neill

Partner, Grant Thornton

continued investment to the region. I am looking forward to further building relationships with businesses throughout Ireland and continuing to offer a service that will help them thrive in 2023. I am an entrepreneur by nature, having successfully launched a FinTech start-up before joining Grant Thornton, and it is this entrepreneurial spirit and experience that enables me to bring a fresh perspective to those businesses I work so closely with.”

Speaking on the appointment of the six new partners, Managing Partner at Grant Thornton Ireland, Michael McAteer said, “These new partner appointments show our commitment to promoting talent and empowering our people to achieve their ambitions. They also reflect and build on our plans for continued growth of our firm, in line with the needs of our clients.’

‘Given the economic situation as we head into 2023, there are several challenges facing Irish businesses including the increasing costs of doing business and inflation, an evolving global tax landscape, technological disruption, the impacts of climate change and Brexit. Grant Thornton is ready to support Irish businesses in overcoming these obstacles, to build resilience and effectively manage risks so that they can continue to thrive.”

Grant Thornton’s Cork office was set up in 2013 and is centrally located in the new Penrose Dock development, in Penrose One. In the ten years since its inception, the office has established a growing and diverse workforce, which now stands at nearly 250 people. Reflective of the growing demand in the region, it offers a full suite of professional services to clients across multiple industry sectors.

The five other partners have been appointed across several of the firm’s key business units including advisory services, finance operations and tax:

• Ann Marie Costello becomes partner in corporate finance advisory.

• Kevin Devenney is appointed tax partner.

• Trevor McCarron becomes partner in finance operations.

• Sarah Meredith is appointed tax partner.

• Padraig Ryan becomes partner in business consulting advisory.

For further information, visit grantthornton.ie