New partner at Grant Thornton Midlands
Accountancy and Business Advisory firm Grant Thornton has promoted Jess Fountain to Partner, where she is one of the leaders of the Midlands-based tax team.
A tax specialist, Jess has been with the firm for eight years and works extensively with privately owned and private equity backed clients advising on acquisitions, disposals, and expansion strategies. Jess specialises in advising growing businesses.
Unusually, this career milestone promotion arrived when Jess was away from work. She completed her final interview in the partnership process just three weeks before starting maternity leave, with the confirmation arriving while she was on the break.
“I spend most of my time supporting businesses to achieve their strategic goals, so it feels great to have achieved one of my own personal goals,” said Jess, who lives in Bromsgrove. “The last eight years have shot by, and Grant Thornton’s culture has helped me greatly in my progression."
She added: “Anyone who makes it to partner understands that the achievement reflects a great deal hard work, dedication, and commitment. I hope other women pursuing careers in finance receive the same level of support I have enjoyed. I was somewhat anxious about how pregnancy and motherhood might impact my career, but Grant Thornton reassured me throughout the process.”
“The Midlands has long been a trailblazer in the UK economy and it’s adapting well to emerging technologies. It’s called the Midlands Engine for a reason.
Matt Buckingham, Practice Leader of Grant Thornton in the Midlands, added: “Jess is a gifted professional advisor who makes a valuable contribution to everything we are doing in one of the most dynamic parts of the marketplace. Grant Thornton places a huge focus on ensuring we have an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone has an opportunity to thrive, regardless of gender, ethnic or socio-economic background, sexual orientation or neurodiversity.
“It is particularly pleasing that Jess joined our Partnership team whilst on maternity leave. Jess further strengthens our local senior leadership team which is focussed on delivery a full service offering to our clients.”
The wider conversation around the career impact of parental leave and flexible working on women’s careers has been formally researched by Grant Thornton. This month, the firm published the Mid-Career Momentum report, highlighting insights from 600 women about their experiences in professional services. The report reveals that over half of those who had taken parental leave and a third of those with a flexible working arrangement believe it has had a negative impact on their career progression.
