-
Business Risk Services
Our Business Risk Services team deliver practical and pragmatic solutions that support clients in growing and protecting the inherent value of their businesses.
-
Corporate Finance and Deal Advisory
We offer a dedicated team of experienced individuals with a focus on successfully executing transactions for corporates and financial institutions. We offer an integrated approach, with our corporate finance specialists working seamlessly with tax and other specialists to ensure that every angle is covered.
-
Economic Advisory
Our all-island Economics Advisory team combines expertise in economics and business with a wealth of experience across the public and private sectors.
-
Forensic Accounting
We have a different way of doing business by delivering real insight through a combination of technical rigour, commercial experience and intuitive judgment. We take pride in delivering responsive and tailored solutions to all our clients, capitalising on the wealth of experience housed within our Belfast and wider Forensics team
-
People and Change Consulting
The Grant Thornton People & Change Consulting practice works with clients on these issues as well as on all aspects of how they attract, retain, engage develop, deploy and lead their people.
-
Restructuring
We work with a wide variety of clients and stakeholders such as high street banks, private equity funds, directors, government agencies and creditors to implement solutions which provide the best possible outcomes.
-
Technology Consulting
Motivating and assisting our clients to pursue, maintain and secure the benefits of digital solutions is at the core of our Digital Transformation teams' agenda and goals. We work with business leaders to deliver efficient digital strategies and operating models that provide new or enhanced capabilities.
-
Corporate and International Tax
Northern Ireland businesses face further challenges as they operate in the only part of the UK that has a land border with a country offering a lower tax rate.
-
Employer Solutions
Our team specialises in remuneration and incentive planning and works closely with employers, shareholders and employees to ensure that business strategies are aligned and goals achieved in the most tax efficient, cost-effective manner.
-
Entrepreneur and Private Client Taxes
Our team of experienced advisors are on hand to guide you through any decision or transaction ranging from the establishment of new business ventures, to realising value on exit, to succession planning and providing for loved ones.
-
Global Mobility Services
Grant Thornton Ireland offer a different approach to managing global mobility. We have brought together specialists from our tax, global payroll, people and change and financial accounting teams across Ireland and Northern Ireland, while drawing on the knowledge and insights of our global network of over 143 offices of mobility professionals to provide you with a holistic approach to managing global mobility.
-
Outsourced Payroll
Our outsourced service provides valued service to over 150 separate PAYE schemes. These ranging from 1 to 1000 employees, working for micro, SME and global employers. The service is supported by the integrated network of tax and global mobility teams and the wider Grant Thornton network delivering a seamless service. Experienced staff deliver a personal service built around your business needs.
-
Tax Disputes and Investigations
Our Tax Disputes and Investigation team is made up of tax experts and former HMRC investigators who have years of experience in dealing with a variety of tax investigations. Our expertise and insight can guide you through all interactions, keeping your cost at a minimum while allowing you to continue with the day to day running of your business.
-
VAT and Indirect Taxes
At Grant Thornton (NI) LLP, our team helps Northern Ireland businesses manage their UK and global indirect tax risks which, as transactional taxes, can quickly become big liabilities.
A lack of devolved government in Northern Ireland could deepen an already growing skills shortage in the food and drinks sector, a major industry event has heard.
Leaders from the sector voiced their concerns at a recent dinner hosted by leading business advisory firm Grant Thornton.
The event, held at Hilden Brewery, brought together more than 20 directors from some of Northern Ireland’s best-known food and beverage companies.
The evening was hosted by Charlie Kerlin, Head of Grant Thornton’s Food and Beverage team in Northern Ireland, along with special guest Joy Alexander, Head of Food Technology Development at CAFRE (College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise).
During the after-dinner discussion, many of those in attendance voiced concerns that the lack of a functioning, devolved assembly was harming the agri-food sector’s efforts to address a growing skills gap in the industry.
In particular, some directors said that not having a devolved minister in place meant there was a lack of local influence to ensure that funds from the recently-introduced Apprenticeship Levy were sufficiently addressing the skills shortage.
Charlie Kerlin commented:
“Now in its ninth year, Grant Thornton’s annual food and beverage dinner never fails to generate a high level of debate among local industry leaders.
“This year, we wanted to focus on skills as this is something that a large number of our clients are talking to us about as a key concern going forward. There are many factors impacting the shortage, including a reliance on workers born outside the UK and too few young people viewing the industry as a viable career option.
“These concerns have also been borne out in research conducted by Grant Thornton alongside the Food and Drink Federation which found that, despite all the uncertainty surrounding Brexit and its implications, the number one concern in the sector isn’t tariffs, trade or exchange rates, but skills.”
Joy Alexander added:
“The big issue for everyone at the minute is a concern about future labour.
“In some parts of Northern Ireland, as many as 65% of workers at agri-food firms are foreign nationals, and there is anecdotal evidence that many of those are either already in the process of moving away, or are considering it.
“The implications, therefore, for our businesses are huge. It’s across all sectors at different levels, but seasonal and horticultural firms in particular are feeling the effects.
“The gap has to be filled somewhere, and that’s the next challenge on the horizon for all of us.”
With a need to refocus on ensuring the local workforce is sufficiently skilled to assume the positions, Charlie said the sector has suffered from an image problem at times.
He said:
“There is a perception of the food and drink industry that it is low paid and low skilled, but this is not the case. In fact, some of the greatest gaps in employment are at the senior end in management.
“It is true, however, that the workforce is ageing so there is a major opportunity for young people to take their first steps on what could be a very successful career path.”
Joy said that great strides had been made in recent years to encourage young people into the industry:
“Thankfully, over the last six to eight years we are seeing a growing trend of students wanting to enter the food and drink sector, with around 400 now at CAFRE.
“Crucially, there are more than enough jobs to satisfy the numbers when they graduate.
“Food is currently in a resurgent position and there are a lot of good news stories coming out of Northern Ireland.
“We still have work to do, though, to show that there is a pathway of progression and a good career path for those that do take it up.”
