Grant Thornton UK profits jump 30% amid structural changes

Grant Thornton UK has reported a 30% increase in underlying operating profit to £189m for the financial year ending 31 December 2025, following the redesign of the partner model intended to balance annual income with long-term value. 

It comes as the firm delivered 4% revenues growth to reach £787m, despite what it described as flat or declining revenues across much of the professional services market.

Growth in audit and tax sectors offset softer demand in advisory services. 

Average compensation per partner rose to £686k from £682k the previous year. The firm stated this figure reflects deliberate reinvestment choices rather than the optimisation of short-term distributions.

The partnership expanded during the year with the appointment of nearly 40 equity partners and 64 directors, with internal promotions accounting for 91% of director appointments.

Leadership plans to appoint a further 160 partners over the next two years. So far in 2026, 31 equity partners have been recruited, including 24 internal promotions.

Investment in digital skills included £1m committed to digital mindset learning. The firm also announced a £500m investment in client experience and digital innovation to begin in 2026.

Grant Thornton became the first major professional services firm to establish an employee benefit trust. It awarded a £39m exceptional bonus to staff during the 2025 period.

Malcolm Gomersall, chief executive of Grant Thornton UK, said: “In 2025 we made bold, deliberate choices. Choices that ensure we are not simply responding to change but helping shape the future of professional services. At the centre of this is our investment in our people. From rapidly expanding our partnership to launching our Employee Benefit Trust, we’re building a firm where colleagues at every level share in the value they help create.

“But recognising contribution is only part of the story. The future demands new skills and new ways of working. That’s why we invested in digital mindset learning and hired our first cohort of digital trainees, bringing fresh capability to a rapidly evolving market. These foundations set the scene for our milestone £500m investment to transform the client experience through data, technology and digital tools. This is not just a technology upgrade; it is a fundamental shift in how we work, collaborate and deliver value.”

He added: “As we look ahead, our success will depend on sustaining a high-performance culture, one where our people are empowered, ambitious and equipped to meet the evolving expectations of our clients with clarity, confidence and excellence.”