It’s clear this firm likes to take a different approach to most things that it does and equally apparent from talking to the energetic Perry that the future of Grant Thornton in Berkshire is exciting. With Thames Valley offices now in Oxford, Reading (The Pinnacle in Reading centre) and the new IQ at Winnersh, the platform for future development is now complete.

“We have combined our Thames Valley offices to give us more scale and enable us to deliver the best team for the right clients. We now have a team of 20 partners and 270 employees across the two offices in Berkshire.

“We also have some fairly ambitious growth plans. The National Leadership Board have identified the Thames Valley as the key area for growth and are challenging us to achieve at least 10% cumulative growth between now and 2015.”

With a solid foothold in the Thames Valley, the firm is now in a unique position to deliver their more individual service to a wide market, as Perry explains. “We are more nimble and fleet of foot than the ‘Big Four’. We focus on the local nature of our clients’ businesses but can draw from a very impressive international network.”

So why Winnersh Triangle? “We looked at a number of different locations but this felt right. We made the decision to locate outside of Reading to avoid the town centre congestion and take advantage of the easy access, transport links and parking.

“Our audit and tax teams, are now located perfectly for visiting our corporate clients, but they are equally capable of making the short journey into the centre of Reading if clients need to meet there. The Pinnacle, however, is positioned in the centre allowing the Corporate finance, Recovery and Transaction teams to be based near the banks and VCs. This combination of office location gives the company a good balance between the periphery and the centre.

“Oxford is also a very important area for us because we have a very strong market share there and a very strong presence, so Oxford will continue to be a significant market for Grant Thornton.”

Any move is going to place a strain on an organisation, and the amount of disruption to a firm the size of Grant Thornton shouldn’t be underestimated. However, it’s clear talking to Perry that the move was well researched and executed, now leaving the firm in excellent shape for 2012.

“We have a cracking team of partners and directors across our offices. We are fortunate to have such a dynamic team. They are fully engaged with the full service operation. We all use our ‘instinct for growth attitude’ to reach out to clients looking for a more hands on approach than the ‘Big Four’, who focus more on US inbound work. We are looking to work with dynamic organisations who are growing or acquiring or maybe launching new products.

“Here in the Thames Valley we are certainly punching way above our weight with an excellent share of the market. In terms of UK based businesses in the Thames Valley for whom we act, we fair extraordinarily well compared to our competition.”

To find out more about Grant Thornton and how the firm could help your business, contact Perry or Jim Rogers at the IQ offices or Wendy Hart at the Oxford office.

The Grant Thornton Approach
In short, it's all about our approach. Our clients, whether local or global, consistently tell us that we work with them in a very different way. We make sure our clients receive what they need - award-winning audit, tax and advisory expertise that's responsive and insightful, in-depth sector knowledge and a relationship that's built on their agenda not our own.

We are at our best working alongside like-minded organisations that demand more than an off-the-shelf solution. We consistently challenge ourselves and our clients by bringing a broader, more forward-thinking perspective to the table - delivered flexibly and pragmatically.

“Grant Thornton gives you access to valued relationships that work harder for your business. You'll see the benefits first hand.

Grant Thornton at a Glance
• 27 UK Offices
• No.1 Auditor of Aim
• 4th Largest Auditor of UK’s top privately-held companies
• 5th Largest Auditor – Small Cap/Fledgling market
• 100+ Member Firms of Grant Thornton International Ltd
• 200+ Partners
• 5th Largest auditor – FTSE 250
• No.1 Independent Nominate Adviser of AIM
• 30,000+ employees worldwide
• 1 in 4 FTSE 100 are non audit clients
• 4,000+ UK employees

Who's Who

Perry Burton (Managing Partner)
Perry is managing partner at Grant Thornton UK in the Audit and Business Assurance department, specialising in corporates, and international groups. Perry is also the Managing Partner for our Thames Valley Offices.

Experience: Perry joined us at Grant Thornton in 2007 following the merger with RSM Robson Rhodes, where he was a partner and sat on the Audit Board. His experience ranges from working with owner managed business's through to global clients including those listed in the US. In addition to working with these audit clients Perry has worked on the following transaction support assignments.

• Financial restructuring of Jarvis Plc including the £350m debt for equity swap and subsequent £50m rights issue;
• Further £25m rights issue for Jarvis Plc;
• Assets review for £200m acquisition by a lessor;
• Due diligence review for a German global motor manufacturer on the acquisition of a Formula 1 engine manufacturer;

Perry's particular areas of expertise include:
• Technology and Intellectual Property
• Real Estate
• Support Services
• US GAAP and IFRS Reporting

Jim Rogers (Partner)
Jim is an audit and advisory partner in our Thames Valley office, based at Winnersh Triangle.

Experience: Jim joined Grant Thornton in 1990 after spending his first seven years in the profession with Ernst & Young. He was appointed as a partner in 1993.

His experience is wide ranging. He acts for many significant businesses and specialises in advising ambitious entrepreneurial, growth driven businesses. He has particular experience in Private Equity backed and international businesses. Jim also acts for several AIM businesses.

Jim was Head of Growth and Strategic Services for Grant Thornton for three years to December 2006, leading and building teams throughout the UK. delivering strategic involvement to fast-growing, ambitious mid-corporate companies. Jim is also a regular commentator on issues facing mid-corporate businesses and was a member of the CBI SME Council for several years.

Jim's expertise covers:
• Technology Retail & Distribution

Wendy Hart (Partner)
Wendy works within our lead advisory team, specialising in corporate finance and is the sales and marketing partner for the South region Lead Advisory Corporate Finance Team.

Experience: Wendy joined us at Grant Thornton in 1988. Her career with the firm has seen the following achievements to date: 2009 appointed Office managing Partner for Oxford office. 2006 Member of BVCA Technology Committee. 2006 Advanced Diploma in Corporate Finance. 2000 appointed head of the firm's technology practice. 1998 appointed partner. 1996 seconded to NatWest Corporate Bank as a consultant manager (Thames Valley). 1992 qualified as a chartered accountant.

Wendy has over 15 years experience in corporate finance transactions including business disposals, acquisitions, MBOs, MBIs and raising debt and equity finance. Wendy also specialises in providing on-going strategic business advice to retained clients, particularly those anticipating aggressive growth and an M&A strategy.

Wendy's expertise covers:
• Technology (Head of Grant Thornton's Technology practice)
• Property & Construction • Food • Publishing • Support Services