Grant Thornton UK Elevates People Strategy with New Chief People Officer Appointment

In a strategic move to bolster its organizational culture and talent development, Grant Thornton UK has announced the creation of a Chief People Officer (CPO) role, appointing Abigail Fisher as its first incumbent. Fisher, a human resources veteran with approximately 20 years of experience, will assume the position in late February and join the firm's Strategic Leadership Team.

Fisher's mandate will center on overseeing the firm's holistic approach to its workforce—encompassing culture, employee experience, and the overall value proposition for staff. This appointment comes at a pivotal time for the professional services network, which recently reported adding over 100 new partners and directors in 2023, underscoring a period of significant growth and internal evolution.

"Abigail's appointment is a cornerstone in our ongoing commitment to cultivating a standout workplace," said Malcolm Gomersall, CEO of Grant Thornton UK. "Her deep expertise and genuine passion for people strategy will be instrumental as we modernize our operations to serve clients better while doubling down on what makes our firm unique."

Fisher joins from international law firm Eversheds Sutherland, where she spent 12 years in progressive HR leadership roles, most recently as HR Director. Her career is marked by designing people strategies that drive business expansion and performance, alongside initiatives to enhance diversity within partnership and leadership ranks. Notably, Fisher began her professional services career at Grant Thornton in 2010, making this a homecoming of sorts.

"Returning to Grant Thornton feels like coming full circle," Fisher commented. "The firm has always been special to me, and I'm energized by its current trajectory. I'm eager to collaborate with our teams to foster an inclusive, high-performance environment where every individual can excel."

The creation of a dedicated CPO role reflects a broader trend in the professional services sector, where firms are increasingly prioritizing strategic human capital management to attract top talent, improve retention, and navigate complex market demands. For Grant Thornton UK, this move is seen as a direct investment in sustaining its growth momentum and competitive edge.

Industry Reactions

David Chen, Managing Partner at a rival consultancy: "This is a smart, forward-looking play by Grant Thornton. In today's market, your people strategy is your business strategy. Fisher's background in large-scale change and diversity initiatives could give them a real advantage in the war for talent."

Priya Sharma, HR Analyst at Benton Research: "The data shows that firms with executive-level focus on culture see markedly higher employee engagement and client satisfaction scores. Fisher's experience spanning UK and international markets is particularly valuable for a firm with global ambitions."

Michael Reeves, former industry insider and frequent commentator: "Let's not get carried away. Creating a new C-suite role is often more about optics than impact. Grant Thornton has had cultural challenges in the past. Hiring one executive won't fix that overnight. This feels like a box-ticking exercise unless we see real, tangible changes in their employee turnover and satisfaction metrics in the next 18 months."

Sarah Wilkinson, a senior manager at Grant Thornton UK: "Internally, there's a lot of optimism. Many remember Abigail from her first stint here and respect her work. Having a dedicated voice for people and culture at the highest table is something teams have been advocating for. It feels like the leadership is finally listening."

This report was developed based on information from Grant Thornton UK and industry analysis.

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