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Business and financial adviser Grant Thornton UK LLP has announced a trio of promotions within its Public Sector Audit team in the South West.
Based in Bristol, Barrie Morris has been promoted to Public Sector audit partner following a 25-year career in auditing.
His new role positions him to lead the 80-strong South West audit team, overseeing the delivery of “timely, high quality and efficient” external audits for public sector organisations.
During his tenure at Grant Thornton, he has played a “critical” role in seeing managers progress to director level.
Supporting Morris in the day-to-day operations of the team will be Beth Bowers and Grace Hawkins, both of whom have been promoted to Public Sector audit director.
Hawkins’ promotion will see her continue to support clients from Cornwall up to Herefordshire and across into Berkshire, providing advice and insights into how an organisations’ arrangements can deliver better value for money.
As People, Inclusion and Diversity lead in the Public Sector Audit team in the South West, Hawkins has implemented initiatives and activities to drive forward Grant Thornton’s I&D agenda.
Additionally, Bowers will provide assurance and guidance for stakeholders on how their organisations operate, from her base in Bath.
Holding a dual qualification with ICAS and CIPFA, Bowers’ role as quality lead has seen her implement a number of initiatives that have supported improvements in audit quality both locally and nationally.
Bowers also supports the training of new team members and has helped to facilitate the promotion journeys of a number of colleagues in recent years.
Morris said: “Public sector auditing is a crucial part of ensuring that taxpayer money is being used to its full potential, and I’m pleased to lead the team in upholding the highest standards in compliance. It’s an important job and I find that a bit of enthusiasm goes a long way.
“A strong interest in public services also helps, after all, these are the services we all rely on every day. With a team of dedicated public sector audit professionals, Grant Thornton will continue to help protect these vital services through efficient, timely and financially rigorous reporting.”
