Grant Thornton appoints Neil Jeans partner in risk consulting practice
Grant Thornton has welcomed a new partner in its Risk Consulting team: Neil Jeans, who joined the firm as part of its acquisition of Initialism.
Two weeks ago, Grant Thornton announced its acquisition of Initialism, a Melbourne-based financial crime consultancy specialised in anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing.
Neil Jeans founded Initialism around a decade ago, following an almost 20-year career in financial crime and risk management gained in banking (NAB, ABN Amro, UBS), business advisory (PwC) and law enforcement (Metropolitan Police Service).
Under his leadership, Initialism grew into an established niche player in financial crime, serving clients across sectors including financial services, gaming and entertainment.
Jeans has been appointed a partner in the Risk Consulting team. This team advises clients on matters relating to financial crime, compliance, risk management, forensic investigations, and good governance.
“I’m really looking forward to sharing my anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing knowledge and expertise with Grant Thornton’s team. On a personal note, it’s pleasing to be able to further develop my working relationship with Katherine Shamai [Grant Thornton and Initialism already worked together in the run up to the deal].”
“Neil Jeans is considered a pre-eminent expert in the financial crime field, and we are delighted to have him on board with us as partner,” said Michael Pittendrigh, National Managing Partner for Consulting at Grant Thornton.
The deal comes at a time of booming demand for financial crime compliance expertise, against a backdrop of mounting regulatory pressure from AUSTRAC and several governance scandals plaguing Australia’s biggest banks and casinos.
“We’re seeing increased regulatory activity in the anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing space, and seeing increased expectations from both the regulators and the wider public,” said Jeans.
