Press Room.

Grant Thornton News

Return to press room

 

Grant Thornton Appoints Three New Non-Executives


Grant Thornton UK LLP has appointed Richard Eyre, Caroline Goodall and Ed Warner as independent non-executives. The appointments are subject to FSA confirmation.

In line with the recommendations of the Murray Report and the Audit Firm Governance Code, the three non-executives will sit and have voting rights on the firm's governance body, the Partnership Oversight Board (POB).

Meetings of the POB sub-committees for risk assurance and remuneration will each be attended by at least one of the non-executives.

Grant Thornton CEO, Scott Barnes said: "Richard, Caroline and Ed will bring varied experience and exceptional insight to Grant Thornton and I welcome them on board. To have such high calibre non-executives in the firm can only make our business stronger.

"Grant Thornton may be unique in the accountancy profession in placing non-executives at the heart of our UK governance body where they can make a real difference. They will have a central role to play in the development of the firm and its relationship with key stakeholders."

Richard Eyre is currently Chairman of the Eden Project, the Internet Advertising Bureau and mobile apps company, Rapid Mobile. He was previously chief executive at Pearson Television, ITV and Capital Radio.

Caroline Goodall is currently a non-executive director and trustee of the Woodland Trust and a consultant to the international law firm Herbert Smith. She was a corporate partner at Herbert Smith for many years and has held a number of senior management positions within the firm including as Global Head of the Corporate Division. She has also served as a non-executive on the governing body of Newnham College, Cambridge.

Ed Warner is the chairman of UK Athletics through to 2013 and of derivatives exchange LMAX. He is a non-executive director at institutional stock broker and investment bank Panmure Gordon, and global shipping company Clarkson plc. He was previously CEO of IFX Group and of Old Mutual Financial Services (UK).

The Audit Firm Governance Code was published in January 2010 by an independent working group established by the FRC and the ICAEW. It applies to Grant Thornton and the other seven main audit firms, that together audit around 95% of companies listed on Main Market of the London Stock Exchange.

The Code provides a formal benchmark of good governance practice against which firms can report for the benefit of shareholders in listed companies. It also benefits capital markets by enhancing choice and helping to reduce the risk of a firm exiting the large audit market due to a loss of public trust.

ENDS

For Further Information please, contact: Jason Gowar, Senior PR Manager: 020 7728 2915 / Jason.gowar@gtuk.com