Private equity firm Cinven is to make a majority investment in Grant Thornton UK, one of the leading diversified professional services firms offering audit, tax, and advisory services in the UK, with the firm’s UK Partners retaining a significant holding in the business.
Grant Thornton is one of the oldest professional services firms in the UK, dating back to 1904, and today is one of the UK’s largest accounting and advisory services firms. Led by over 240 partners and with more than 5,500 employees across over 20 offices in the UK, the firm serves a wide and diverse client base focused on medium and large corporates, government organisations, and individuals.
According to a press statement, Cinven’s Financial Services and Business Services Sector teams “collaborated closely on the investment in Grant Thornton, identifying it as a compelling primary opportunity”.
The transaction is subject to Partner ratification, regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
Grant Thornton was advised by Rothschild (M&A), DLA Piper (Legal), LEK (Commercial), and EY (Financial & Tax).
Cinven was advised by Goldman Sachs International (M&A), Freshfields (Legal), Oliver Wyman (Commercial), EY (Financial & Operations), and Deloitte (Tax).
