Partner promotions at Grant Thornton as firm sets sights on further growth in Scotland

The promotions of Stuart Preston and Neil McInnes come as the business sets it sights on further growth this year in the Scottish marketplace.

In 2018, the firm made a number of key hires across its three locations, in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, and opened a new, larger office in the heart of the Granite City.

Stuart Preston joined Grant Thornton in 2008 and, in 2017, was appointed head of restructuring in Scotland.

He works with both the private and public sector, supporting distressed businesses and their stakeholders, as they seek to unlock growth potential or, where necessary, recover value for creditors. Mr Preston has worked with a number of high profile businesses throughout his career, accumulating strong credentials across a number of sectors.

He also re-established the firm’s forensic presence in Scotland and has successfully grown Grant Thornton’s presence in this market, having undertaken a number of expert witness and investigation assignments.

Mr Preston said: “I’m delighted to take the next step in leading our restructuring and forensic practice in Scotland, enhancing our place in the market as we seek to provide appropriate, Partner-led, advice to businesses throughout the country. Scotland, and the wider UK, is on the verge of significant political and economic change: this creates both challenge and opportunity, and I look forward to supporting businesses, their management teams and their stakeholders through what will inevitably be a prolonged period of change and uncertainty.”

Neil McInnes joined Grant Thornton in 1998 and has specialised in corporate finance since 2002.

Leading the firm’s M&A Advisory and Transaction Advisory Support function in Scotland, he has advised on numerous high-profile local transactions including the sale of The BenRiach Distillery Company to Brown-Forman Corporation Inc., the acquisition of North Star Shipping by Basalt Infrastructure Partners, the sale of Thornbridge Sawmills to Cairngorm Capital Partners and the AIM IPO of Beeks Financial Cloud.

Neil McInnes said: “2018 was a record year for the Grant Thornton deals team and already in 2019 we are seeing a strong level of deal flow from corporate acquirors, private equity houses, banks, vendors and IPO aspirants across a broad range of sectors. Whilst there are some Brexit-shaped clouds on the horizon, the quality of businesses and management teams across Scotland together with the growth opportunities for mid-market businesses should see this trend continue.”

Managing partner in Scotland, Andrew Howie, added: “Neil and Stuart bring a massive amount of experience and insight to the Scottish Leadership Team at a crucial time for the country’s business community. The next year will test the resilience of companies across all sectors and disciplines, and it’s vitally important that firms seek experienced support to ensure they’re fully prepared for the challenges ahead.

“Our Partnership team in Scotland is now armed with a vast range of background and experience, covering all sectors and with detailed technical know-how. We’re in the strongest position in our history to grow our business sustainably, and help our clients flourish in the long-term.”