2. Foreword by Karl Eddy ........................................................................... 03
About Grant Thornton ............................................................................ 05
Introduction to Government & Infrastructure Advisory ....................... 06
Future Leaders programme .................................................................. 09
Programmeoverview..................................................................................09
Meettheclassof2013..............................................................................12
Meettheclassof2014..............................................................................16
Howtoapply...............................................................................................20
CONTENTS
JACK WELCH
CHAIRMAN & CEO OF GENERAL ELECTRIC
1981 - 2001
“WHEN YOU
BECOME A LEADER,
SUCCESS IS ALL
ABOUT GROWING
OTHERS.”
3. 0302
As a firm, we offer a breadth of
exciting opportunities for talented
graduates, and I’m delighted that
the Future Leaders programme, now
in its second year, sits prominently
amongst Grant Thornton’s award-
winning programmes. We’re
absolutely committed to crafting
opportunities that provide the
brightest university leavers – who we
consider to be tomorrow’s captains
of industry and policy shapers – to
unlock their own potential. Delivered
by the Government Infrastructure
Advisory (GIA) team, it’s this ambition
that lies at the heart of the Future
Leaders programme.
It’s important to us that as a Future
Leader you are able to make your mark
and in so doing help grow our firm.
The programme enables you to gain
valuable client-facing experience and
provides the chance to work with
exciting businesses. We’re lucky to
be associated with a rich variety
of clients across both the private
and public spheres; from some of
the country’s most dynamic SMEs
to government departments, such
as the Department of Business
Innovation Skills (BIS) and UK
Trade Investment (UKTI). As a
result, we’re confident you’ll be
excited by the opportunities that the
Future Leaders programme presents.
I hope that you enjoy reading this
brochure that tells you about the
programme and showcases the
exceptional capabilities of our Future
Leaders class of 2014. If you feel
that you’ve got real leadership
potential and want to cultivate
your talents and feed your appetite
for new experiences, you should
consider applying to one of our
future intakes.
Karl Eddy
Partner, Grant Thornton
I have the pleasure of
introducing you to
Grant Thornton’s Future
Leaders programme
2014/15.
FOREWORD
“ We're absolutely
committed to crafting
opportunities that enable
the brightest university
leavers to unlock their
own potential.”
IntroductionGrant Thornton
4. 05
ABOUT
GRANT THORNTON
Something as exciting and broad ranging as the Future Leaders
programme is the type of thing you would naturally expect from
an ambitious, global organisation like Grant Thornton.
As an innovative, award winning
firm, we provide business and financial
advice to clients that demand
world-leading solutions. We work
with over 40,000 businesses in
the UK alone and it’s not just what
we do, it is the way we do it that
sets us apart. Getting to the core of
client needs and meeting them with
clarity and insight is at the heart
of our business.
In today’s competitive market, we
work with our clients to solve their
challenges in order to add value
through a combination of technical
expertise, rigorous critical thinking
and personal attention. Our clients
are pretty exceptional too – dynamic
organisations across a broad range
of sectors and of all shapes and
sizes, and it is within the SME
space where you’ll find fast growth
companies – the biotech start ups
and online ventures – and as a
graduate or Future Leader with
Grant Thornton you’ll get to work
with these businesses at the most
exciting stages of their development.
Each year, placement students
and interns join us in more than
20 of our UK offices. Grant Thornton
trainees consistently praise the
value of the hands-on experience
they gain with us. In contrast to the
experience of interns in some other
organisations, here you’ll be taking
responsibility for assignments across
a range of different sectors that
last from a few days to a couple
of months.
Of course, you’ll get the valued
professional experience that comes
with our first-class training, but our
ultimate aim is to grow business
people with real world experience,
who can take our clients from where
they are to where they want to be.
Through our international network
of member firms you’ll be able to
spread your wings and enjoy exciting
opportunities across the world.
Whether you’re working on
international accounts or taking
secondments abroad, you – like
our clients – will have access to
the world-leading knowledge and
experience of more than 38,500
partners and employees in more
than 125 countries.
04 About Grant ThorntonGrant Thornton
5. At Grant Thornton, we understand the beneficial impact of
investment in SMEs and infrastructure on economic growth.
We also recognise the mutually dependent link between high
standards of infrastructure and business development. Our
GIA division plays an important role within the Grant Thornton
organisation, providing both public and private sector clients
with the support, knowledge and vision they need to achieve
their objectives. All Future Leaders who join us will spend
time as key members of core GIA teams.
SMEs represent the engine room of
economic growth in most economies
globally, and Grant Thornton
has been able to build a unique
understanding of the challenges
encountered by these entrepreneurial
businesses. We recognise that SMEs
require more than a single service
or skill set to develop and through a
diverse group of our diverse Business
Growth Services (BGS) group, we
help to unlock the growth potential
of ambitious UK firms.
BGS is closely linked with our
infrastructure projects, which are
essential to ensuring the UK remains
competitive in the global economy
and that private levels of investment
in infrastructure increase. At the
same time, private companies need
the support infrastructure in order
to operate to full potential.
SMEs are key beneficiaries of improved
transport links designed to bring UK
cities and businesses closer together.
GIA takes on a wide range of
public and private initiatives
crucial for future economic and
social development. These include
implementing mergers and
consolidation across the public
sector; capital scheme financing and
delivery; and improving or creating
transport connections. Our offerings
cover various sectors and are divided
into: Public Sector Advisory, Real
Estate Assets, Energy Cleantech
Sustainability, Transport
International, and Place Analytics.
INTRODUCTION
TO GOVERNMENT
INFRASTRUCTURE
ADVISORY (GIA)
0706 Grant Thornton Introduction to GIA
6. 09Programme overview
FUTURE LEADERS
PROGRAMME
This exciting programme is a six-month internship based
in London. We’re looking to nurture a small group of
highly talented interns who we believe have the potential
to become future captains of industry and the policy-
shapers of tomorrow. As an intern you’ll spend time as a
key member of core GIA teams, working on a variety of
ambitious projects. The Future Leaders programme gives
ownership to the individual – by offering a tailor-made,
hands-on experience, you are able to develop skills that
align with your long-term career ambitions.
This internship is designed for dynamic graduates who have already
demonstrated strong leadership potential. You’ll be looking to accelerate your
skills as part of this exciting programme. You may have chaired influential
societies or groups at university, created innovative start-up businesses
of your own, or your entrepreneurial and team leadership skills may have
been developed as part of previous work experience. Whatever your specific
background, you’ll have the enthusiasm to generate great ideas and the drive
to see those ideas come to life. The willingness to use your initiative and jump
at responsibility and work confidently both independently and as part of a
team are attributes greatly valued at Grant Thornton and our Future Leaders
will display these qualities in abundance.
7. 1110 Grant Thornton
Realising ambitions
Grant Thornton’s reputation and track
record means this is an innovative and
exciting place to be. As Grant Thornton
continues to grow, we want to create
opportunities for talented graduates
to apply their skills, enthusiasm
and passion in a fast-paced and
commercial environment.
As a Future Leader you’ll take on
real responsibilities, be challenged
and find yourself in the thick of
things right from the start. We want
you to develop your skills and gain
experience across multiple areas and
then begin to carve out a niche. As a
result, you’ll build up an impressive
breadth of commercial experience
and be required to apply yourself in
a variety of situations. Your personal
ambition will be at the heart of how
you’re developed, and we’ll look to
stretch you in directions that enhance
your skills in surprising ways.
After the six-month programme
comes to an end we’ll look to
convert our most successful interns
to full-time associates within the
firm. If you develop a passion for a
particular area during your internship,
you may be able to create a new
role for yourself within a specific
team. As an associate, you will work
on longer term projects tailored to
your strengths and areas of interest,
having been immersed in a variety of
GIA business growth services.
Inevitably some of you will make
use of the skills gained from the
internship to go on to apply these to
your own entrepreneurial ventures
outside of Grant Thornton. Our
ambition is to keep in touch with
all our interns in the future to create
a network of high performing
business leaders, policy makers
and captains of industry who are
proud to have started their journey
with Grant Thornton.
Unlocking your potential
for growth
You’ll build your commercial
acumen through a tailored rotational
programme, working within a
variety of GIA teams, covering areas
such as: stakeholder management,
place and growth analytics,
service operations and business
development. Experiences could
involve managing relationships
with key government departments,
assessing international markets to
help inform government strategy
for business or creating unique
strategies to help engage with the
SME marketplace. You’ll need to be
agile and be able to apply yourself
to a number of projects across GIA
as they arise, based on business
requirements and personal interests.
Alongside rotations, you’ll gain
valuable advisory experience through
a client-facing growth immersion
project, designed especially for this
programme. Under the guidance and
mentorship of senior Grant Thornton
leadership, you’ll collaborate as a
team in helping a client’s board-level
management unlock their growth
potential. As well as an opportunity
to interact with senior executives, the
growth immersion project provides
further opportunity to apply the
coaching you’ve received in a live
commercial setting: really listening to
a client’s growth ambitions, seeking
to understand the key business
issues at play, acting on a honed
commercial instinct and using
Grant Thornton’s resources to take that
client to a better place commercially.
The Future Leaders programme
also provides opportunities for you
to develop yourself away from the
office environment. An academy
ethos is central to the design of the
programme, and involves events
to help provide wider learning
and foster a fantastic team spirit.
For example, you may be asked
to represent GIA at an awards
ceremony with high-achieving
businesses or participate in
roundtable discussions focused
on current business issues. As
a firm we also believe in giving
something back to the local
communities in which we operate.
You could find yourself as part of
a project team giving advice to
budding entrepreneurs in need of
direction, helping them to realise
their business ambitions.
There is also the chance to expand
and capitalise on internal networking
within Grant Thornton. For example,
a Future Leader might express an
interest in career opportunities within
international development. Their
mentor can set up a call with GIA
team members in a particular region
or contact a relevant partner there
through one of our 30 International
Business Centres – potentially
creating a career-defining relationship.
As a Future Leader you will receive
a competitive salary while working
on live projects with a variety of
dynamic clients. There are two
Grant Thornton Future Leader
intakes each year: starting in late
June and mid-January.
“ TheFutureLeadersexperienceallowsyoutoprogressina
directionthatrespondstoyourpersonalambitions.Iworked
withmymentortoexploreparticularGIAinfrastructureprojects
andasaresult,IamreturningtoGIAfrommytravelstoSouth
Americaasanassociate,focusingondomesticand
internationalinfrastructureadvisory.AndIcannotwait!”
–Marziyeh,GIAAssociate
“I really didn’t feel
like an intern during
my experience. I was
given considerable
responsibility for real
projects and truly became
part of each team. I also
regularly collaborated
with senior members of
the firm that gave me
valuable insights. Most of
all though, I enjoyed how
welcoming every team
was and how GIA fosters
a fantastic team spirit.”
–Mimi, GIAAssociate
Programme overview
FUTURE LEADERS PROGRAMME (CONTINUED)
8. 1312 My journeyGrant Thornton
My journey with Grant Thornton
began in July 2013. I had
previously worked in a successful
business coaching and people
transformation practice and had
completed a degree in international
relations. Up until this point,
I hadn’t explored a career in
professional services as my focus
had been spent mostly on the
creation and growth of start-up
businesses. So, as I stepped into
the interview room, armed
with a swarm of questions about
Grant Thornton’s great work and
feeling unsure of just how I might
be able to carve out a career here,
I thought to myself: ‘just see how
it goes, you never know, it
might be fun!’
From the get-go, I enjoyed
ownership of a project to design a
new business diagnostic tool for the
high-growth SME market, leveraging
my commercial experience to do
this. I was able to better understand
our partnerships with government
and see first-hand the sharp end of
policy implementation; specifically
how private and public sector
collaboration can generate growth
in the UK SME market. Within
only months of joining, I was
coordinating events to attract new
clients for Business Growth
Services; helping to design and
take to market new service lines;
working closely with partners
and directors on bid proposals;
analysing potential new markets
for clients; and contributing to the
strategic growth of the business by
spear heading a new internship
programme – Future Leaders.
It’s exciting to have been so closely
involved with Future Leaders and
helping to create a legacy that’s
contributing to the future growth
potential of the firm.
And so back to that thought –
‘it might be fun!’ Well, it was
and continues to be a great
experience. What is it that keeps
me interested? For me, it is
Grant Thornton’s demonstrable
flare for entrepreneurial thinking
– that instinct for growth; the
opportunity for ambitious people
to gain broader commercial
experience before creating
niche expertise. I enjoy being
challenged in a fast-paced
business environment and also
appreciate being around people
that genuinely care about my
personal development.
“It’s exciting to have
been so closely involved
with Future Leaders and
helping to create a legacy
that’s contributing to the
future growth potential
of the firm.”
BRUCE
GIA Executive
MY
JOURNEYTHE FIRST INTAKE FOR THE FUTURE
LEADERS PROGRAMME WAS IN 2013.
BRUCE JOINED IN 2013 AND IMMEDIATELY
SET ABOUT WORKING TO CREATE THE
FUTURE LEADERS PROGRAMME
As an intern, I most enjoyed my time
in the GrowthAccelerator rotation,
where I worked closely with the
national stakeholder manager. I
enjoyed engaging directly with
businesses at events such as UK
Trade Investment’s Export Week,
and talking to organisations about
how they can work more closely
with GrowthAccelerator.
In my new role as a GIA associate,
I’ve been able to further explore
GrowthAccelerator and the stakeholder
management team. Only months into
the role, I started working towards my
goal of developing new commercial
relationships with key stakeholders
and engaging with organisations on
a more strategic level, which was
really satisfying.
Collaborating with government-
backed stakeholders is a central
part of the stakeholder strategy,
which I have contributed to
through supporting events
with organisations such as the
Design Council. I’ve learnt so
much in terms of designing and
managing events that help to
establish such organisations as
key advocates of the service. One
event that I remember fondly is
the inaugural GrowthAccelerator
awards ceremony, ‘The Brave
The Bold’. Along with
GrowthAccelerator clients, guests
included senior representatives of
national stakeholders such as the
Intellectual Property Office. I have
also independently engaged with
a number of businesses,
presenting GrowthAccelerator’s
commercial supporter proposition
and then building and managing
those relationships.
One particular vision for the Future
Leaders programme going forward
is the creation of a Business
Growth Academy. I am thrilled to
have ownership of this part of the
programme. The academy’s aim
is to organise events and provide
aspiring business advisers with an
opportunity to engage with dynamic
people and companies, to challenge
their thinking and give them the
confidence to pursue innovative
ideas. Gaining exposure to such
opportunities outside of the day to
day role is key to becoming a game
changer in the market and learning
new ways to add value to clients.
“With the incredibly
supportive environment
and the number of
exciting and challenging
opportunities here in GIA
that constantly push me
out of my comfort zone, I
am confident in my ability
to realise these ambitions
and rapidly develop my
professional skills.”
MIMI
GIA Associate
Class of 2013
9. My journey 1514 Grant Thornton
During my internship, I worked
with the Manufacturing Advisory
Service (MAS) at a time when
it was evolving its offering to
align more closely with the
government’s industrial strategy.
I found the process of helping to
determine the strategic direction
of the programme extremely
interesting and, when I moved
into a permanent position, I was
pleased to be able to shape my
role to reflect this interest.
I am now an integral member of
the MAS team, working with the
national director on the strategy
and future direction of the MAS
programme. In this role, no two
days are the same. One day I
could be in the office conducting
research into the feasibility of
expanding the programme in a
certain direction, and on another
I could be at an industry event
discussing the role of MAS in the
market place. Since joining, I’ve
gained an in-depth knowledge
of the strengths and challenges
of the UK manufacturing base
as well as the workings of the
policy levers behind the scenes
at the Department of Business,
Innovation Skills.
It’s great to see how policy is
applied in the world of business
during specific projects. To date, I
have worked on the development
of ReshoreUK and managed
a national events programme
aimed at enhancing the financial
expertise of manufacturing SMEs.
My role in developing the
Future Leaders programme
involves leading the learning
development aspect of the
programme. For this, I enjoy the
responsibility for developing the
Future Leader teams’ professional
knowledge and expertise through
a journey of workshops that
enhance both critical and more
technical skills. I’m passionate
about leaving a legacy for future
interns and associates to build
upon. I’m aware of how much
I’ve learned myself since joining,
and I’m keen to make sure all
Future Leaders have the same
opportunities for personal growth.
“ Working with MAS has
given me a platform
to develop my skills in
programme management.
As MAS evolves over
the coming weeks and
months I will have even
more opportunities
to help shape the
future direction of
the programme.”
LUCY
GIA Associate
Class of 2013
While working in the MAS,
stakeholder management and
analytics teams, I developed a
good understanding of GIA’s scope.
I particularly enjoyed my rotation
with the analytics team where
I was able to create insightful sector
reports. Following discussions
with members of the infrastructure
advisory team, I realised there
were opportunities within GIA that
tied in closely with my interests
in international development.
The GIA team was very
understanding about my desire
to spend time in Latin America
before starting my career. I spent
four months in Colombia before
returning to a full-time role as
an associate. On returning to
GIA, I began working with the
infrastructure advisory team and
was involved with a number
of projects, such as transport
developments, sustainability
advisory and some very exciting
international ventures. Before
focusing on a particular area
of infrastructure, I want to gain
experience across a wide range
of projects. I hope to continue to
strengthen my analytics skills and
learn about financial modelling.
In addition, I’m about to start
studying towards the CIMA
professional qualification, which
will stand me in good stead to gain
an even deeper understanding
of the commercial challenges of
businesses and organisations.
My connection with the Future
Leaders programme is ongoing as
I now lead the Growth Immersion
Project. This team-based project
provides our Future Leaders with
an opportunity to leverage the
coaching, skills and resources
that they unlock during the
internship and apply these in
supporting ambitious businesses
to unlock their growth potential.
This year, we have partnered
with two companies of high
growth potential. These firms are
attracted to the idea of engaging
with dynamic, aspiring business
advisers in a long term business
support project. Ownership of
this area of the programme is
ideal as it fits well with my long-
term career ambition to work on
development projects.
MARZIYEH
GIA Associate
Class of 2013
“ The opportunities within
GIA are limitless and
the experience is really
helping me to progress
in a direction that
responds to my own
personal ambitions. I am
extremely excited about
the next few years of my
career within GIA.”
10. 1716 Meet the class of 2014Grant Thornton
Sannamari has an MSc in International Business
Emerging Markets from Edinburgh University.
She is currently writing her dissertation on the
internationalisation strategies of Finnish SMEs to
Indonesia. Outside of academia, she has been working on
creating a web interface for Scottish schools that allows
easier communication between teachers, parents and
students. Sannamari is fluent in Finnish and English.
“IwouldliketobetheCEOofmy
ownbusinessoneday.Ilikethe
ideaofdevelopingsomething,
testingmylimitsandpotential.”
While at Strathclyde University, Chris won ‘President of
the Year in 2013’ largely in recognition of his efforts to
lead and build the Bright Futures Society, which helps
students find work after graduating. In the future,
Chris aims to start a business venture to help influence,
motivate and inspire others by providing coaching in
a number of areas of professional development.
His leadership inspiration is Richard Branson.
SANNAMARI
MSc International Business Emerging Markets
University of Edinburgh
CHRIS
BA Marketing Management
University of Strathclyde
MEET THE
CLASS OF 2014
“I’ve used my time at university
to really stretch myself by taking
opportunities in a variety of areas
that are completely new to me.”
Grant Thornton is proud to introduce the Future Leaders class of 2014. This
group of high calibre interns joined the GIA team on 30 June 2014, and
will be applying their skills and enthusiasm in a competitive, commercial
environment. Our six Future Leaders for 2014 come from a variety of
backgrounds, with a blend of skill sets, so are ideally placed to offer fresh
perspectives – a vital ingredient when looking to grow successful businesses.
Maria graduated from Queen Mary University of
London. During her time there she was elected
Project Manager of Queen Mary Entrepreneurs.
Since graduation, she has run a successful youth
empowerment project for unemployed 16-25 year
olds in Tower Hamlets, London. Maria is fluent in
English, Italian and Spanish.
“Goodleadershipistheactivity
ofunlockingpeople’spotential,
believinginpeople’sabilitiesand
relyingonthemtoachieve.”
MARIA
BSc Economics Politics
Queen Mary University of London
11. 1918 Meet the class of 2014Grant Thornton
“My ultimate ambition in life is to
encourage people, irrespective of
their age, race and background,
to make the world a fairer and
greater place to live in.”
“Goodleadershipistheactivity
ofunlockingpeople’spotential,
believinginpeople’sabilities
andrelyingonthemtoachieve.”
Since graduating from Bath University with a BA in
French Politics, James has concentrated on setting
up a successful investment venture that he now leads.
With that established, he is now turning his attention to
developing a delivery business in Hong Kong and is in the
process of gathering contacts in Egypt to get this off the
ground. At secondary school James was selected as part
of the government’s ‘Gifted and Talented’ programme.
JAMES
BA French Politics
University of Bath
MARIA
MSc International Public Policy
Queen Mary University of London
“Myultimateambitionistoleavea
legacy behind me in the form of a
company which is both successful
and represents my beliefs.”
A qualified teacher, Maria studied international Public
Policy at Queen Mary University London. While studying
for her MSc, she co-founded a political blog platform,
Current Affairs, while at the same time working for the
Danish Nurses’ Organisation, with which she has been
regularly involved. Her ambition is to start a consultancy,
helping the government deliver evidence-based policy
making in the field of education.
Evelina attended UCL, achieving a BA in Economics
Business. During her time at the university she was
the co-founder and president of the UCLU Women in
Finance Society, which has now expanded to include
500 members. She also organised the London School of
Economics Baltic States Forum in 2013. Led by the former
Prime Minister of Lithuania, the forum focused on energy
independence and economic development in the region.
EVELINA
BA Economics Business
University College London
“Noticinganopportunityforfemale-
orientedsocietiesatUniversity
CollegeLondon(UCL),Isought
tocreatealonglastingimpactby
co-foundingtheUCLUWomenin
Financesociety”
12. 20 Grant Thornton
HOW TO APPLY
To find out more about the programme, and how to apply, check out
www.grant-thornton.co.uk/trainees
We’re passionate about implementing a talent spotting and head
hunting approach when it comes to finding talent for the Future
Leaders programme. We work with key universities and academic
contacts to identify potential applicants. If you think you’ve got what
it takes to be a Future Leader, we’d love to hear from you. More
information can be found on our website, with details of our future
intakes and recruitment processes.
Application
You’ll be invited to submit a CV and covering letter which will
be reviewed by our GIA team. We may follow this up with a
telephone call to further explore specific experiences you’ve had,
and answer your questions.
Telephone interview
You’ll be asked to take part in a short, competency-based phone
interview with someone from our GIA team. Here, we’ll understand
more about your experiences to date, things you’re most proud of
and your motivation for applying to the Future Leaders programme.
Insights day
The final stage of the process is an insight day held in one of our London
offices. You’ll spend time getting to know a wide variety of people from
our GIA team. This will include senior leaders as well as current interns
and associates. We’ll keep you on your toes throughout the day with a
number of different exercises to test your potential for the programme.
There will be a focus on our CLEARR values of Collaboration, Leadership,
Excellence, Agility, Respect and Responsibility as well as on your ability to
demonstrate key behaviours such as critical thinking, genuine interest in
clients and seizing opportunities.
At the end of each stage of the process we’ll give feedback to everyone,
highlighting what you did well and what you could have done even better.
Whether you’re successful in our process, or not, we want you to go away
an advocate of our firm and having learnt something about yourself.
STEPHEN COVEY
AUTHOR AND BUSINESSMAN
“LEADERSHIP
IS A CHOICE
NOT A POSITION.”
