Grant Thornton appoints new South Asia Business Group Partner

Grant Thornton has announced the appointment of Akshay Bhalla to the position of partner in the firm’s London-based team. 

Bhalla’s appointment comes as he was previously office managing partner with KPMG India. 

In this role, he will work alongside Anuj Chande, the head of the South Asia business group, with a focus to grow the current offering and capture the increasing opportunities presented by strong cultural and trading relationships between UK and India. 

In addition, Bhalla will also focus on relationship building with the increasing number of global Indians, who are making the UK their base, whilst maintaining connections with India and other parts of the world such as Singapore and Dubai.  

A key priority for the firm will be working with UK-headquartered multinational corporations looking to adopt India for their global capability centres. 

Anuj Chande, head of South Asia business group at Grant Thornton UK LLP, said: “We welcome Akshay to London and to Grant Thornton. The chosen market is growing, and the imminent India and UK Free Trade Agreement is likely to help propel further growth.  

“Through the UK firm’s South Asia business group, Grant Thornton UK LLP and Grant Thornton Bharat LLP have had a strong and close relationship and have a history of strong collaboration over three decades. Akshay will work with Partners from both firms to build deeper connections and implement the strategic collaboration goals for both firms.”

Bhalla added: “Grant Thornton’s South Asia Business Group has a market-leading position in the UK and India corridor and has a strong reputation with clients, contacts, influencers, intermediaries and respective governments. 

“I am excited to play a leadership role in the next phase of growth as we look to expand the footprint and focus areas of the service offering.”