Grant Thornton US Announces New Leadership for Retail and Manufacturing Practices
Grant Thornton US Announces New Leadership for Retail and Manufacturing Practices
In a strategic move to bolster its industry-specific services, Grant Thornton US has unveiled the appointment of two seasoned professionals to spearhead its retail and manufacturing industry practices. Lawrence Griff steps in as the head of the retail industry practice, while Kelly Schindler takes the helm of the manufacturing industry practice, signaling a new era of leadership and innovation within the firm.
Griff, who will be operating from New York, brings to the table over three decades of public accounting experience, with a significant portion of his career—nearly 15 years—dedicated to Grant Thornton. As a partner in the audit and assurance practice, Griff has a rich history of serving clients across a diverse range of sectors including retail, media, professional services, and manufacturing. His previous roles include partnerships with EY US and Arthur Andersen, and he has also imparted his knowledge as an adjunct professor of accounting at New York University. Griff’s academic credentials include an MBA from New York University, a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania, and certification as a public accountant.
On the other side, Schindler will be leading from St Louis, backed by over 20 years of public accounting prowess, 13 of which have been with Grant Thornton. Currently serving as the audit and assurance partner and the market managing principal for St. Louis, Schindler’s expertise spans across manufacturing, automotive, defense, chemicals, and life sciences sectors. Her journey before Grant Thornton saw her spending nearly a decade at KPMG, culminating in a senior manager position. Schindler is a certified public accountant, holding a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Missouri State University.
Alasdair Trotter, chief revenue officer at Grant Thornton Advisors LLC, emphasized the dynamic nature of the manufacturing and retail industries and the necessity for a growth-focused mentality. “Lawrence and Kelly each have many years of experience across multiple industries, and their wealth of knowledge means they are keenly suited to lead our talented teams of professionals as they solve our clients’ problems and bring them innovative new ideas,” Trotter remarked.
The appointments come at a time when Grant Thornton US, headquartered in Chicago and boasting nearly 10,000 employees nationwide with an annual revenue of $2.4 billion, is looking to further cement its position as a leader in audit, assurance, tax, and advisory services. The firm also recently welcomed Arla Lach as the market managing partner for Chicago, underscoring its commitment to strengthening its leadership team and enhancing its service delivery across key markets.
With Griff and Schindler at the forefront of their respective practices, Grant Thornton US is poised to navigate the complexities of the retail and manufacturing sectors, driving growth and delivering innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of its clients.