Profile

Ian Smart  (Office Managing Partner, National Leadership)

Ian Smart has been Managing Partner of Grant Thornton's London Office since January 2009, a business with activities involving more than 1,200 people and £150 million of revenue. In this capacity, Ian is a member of the firm's National Leadership Board.

Experience:

Ian has been with Grant Thornton since 1983 and has held a number of roles in that time. He has more than 15 years' experience in corporate finance, having specialised in transaction advisory services with buy-outs, acquisitions, disposals and financial reconstructions in both public and private company situations. He also has substantial experience in flotations and public company transactions, and has acted as A Nominated Adviser and Sponsor.

In 2001, Ian became Managing Partner of Grant Thornton's Corporate Finance business; over the next six years, revenues grew fourfold. Ian also led Grant Thornton's international M&A activities.

Away from Grant Thornton, Ian is currently Chairman of the ICAEW's Corporate Finance Faculty. He has previously chaired that Faculty's Technical Committee and has been a member of the BVCA's Legal & Technical Committee.

Ian is married with two daughters.

Ian Smart's expertise covers:

• due diligence and transaction advisory services
• public company flotations and transactions
• buy-outs, buy-ins, acquisitions and disposals
• across a range of sectors

Qualifications:

• FCA (Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England)
• CF (ICAEW Corporate Finance Qualification)