Australian chief Greg Keith appointed as Grant Thornton’s next global CEO
Grant Thornton’s Australian chief executive Greg Keith has been appointed as the accounting and advisory network’s next global CEO, the first member from the Asia Pacific to take on the top role.
A three decade partner at the firm, Keith has headed Grant Thornton’s Australian branch for the past ten years. From the beginning of next year, he will succeed Peter Bodin in overseeing an $8 billion global business spanning more than 150 countries.
The appointment will see Keith not only become the first Australian to lead the London-headquartered accounting and consulting firm – the world’s seventh largest of its kind – but the first of its firm's professionals originating from the itss Asia Pacific region.
“I am honoured to be appointed to this position and follow on from Peter who has been so successful and led so strongly. “Keith stated. “Taking on this new responsibility is an exciting challenge. I’ve always been proud to be part of Grant Thornton as its ability to deliver both supportive people policies and personalised client experience is nothing short of remarkable.”
A turnaround and restructuring expert, Keith’s career dates back more than 30 years, including time as head of Grant Thornton’s restructuring team in China prior to becoming Sydney managing partner in 2014. Just eighteen months later, he was appointed Australian CEO, with financial advisory partner Said Jahani recently tapped as his replacement from July.
Keith has overseen significant growth during his decade-long tenure as Australian boss, lifting the firm’s local headcount to more than 170 partners and altogether 1,500-plus professionals with its revenues growing beyond the $360 million mark. This includes double-digit growth over the past two years, and more than $100 million added to its take since the pandemic.
“As a current and prior member of the board of governors, Greg brings continuity and insight to the network,” stated chair Martin Geh. “His extensive experience and commitment to the success of the network will inspire confidence in our member firm CEOs and our people. The board and I are confident that Greg is the right person to lead the network into the next chapter in our history.”
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Overseeing a worldwide headcount now in excess of 76,000 professionals, Keith takes over as global CEO at the conclusion of Bodin’s two-term limit in December, with the firm having grown from less than 50,000 staff since his appointment in 2017. Global revenues have also jumped over that period, from roughly $5 billion to last year break the $8 billion barrier.
“Peter has been an exceptional leader of the network for the last eight years, overseeing an increase in global revenues, increasing integration and quality, and delivering the most collaborative strategy in Grant Thornton’s history, focused on both protecting and growing the network. Peter and I will be working closely with Greg to ensure a seamless transition,” Geh stated.
The firm said Keith, who has been appointed for an initial five-year term in a selection process supported by external experts, had received unanimous support from its board of governors, which is comprised of CEOs and senior leaders from many of Grant Thornton’s largest global practices, including the UK, Ireland, France, Canada, US, South Africa, China and Japan.
Keith’s time leading the Australian branch of Grant Thornton is marked by the introduction of several industry-leading diversity & inclusion initiatives, including most notably spearheading a nine-day working fortnight. Keith recently made international headlines due to some comments taken out of context on workplace ‘coffee culture’, with local staff quickly jumping to his defence.
