Accounting company Grant Thornton has appointed Said Jahani as its next CEO in Australia, effective 1 July 2025.
Jahani, currently the financial advisory managing partner, will succeed Greg Keith, who has led the firm for the past ten years.
In his new role, Jahani will oversee a team of over 1,500 people and 172 partners across six national offices.
His responsibilities include driving revenue growth, enhancing brand advocacy, and improving client experience metrics, the company said.
Jahani has more than 28 years of experience in professional services, including 20 years at Grant Thornton.
He specialises in turnaround and corporate restructuring and is said to have been vital in assisting companies with operational, liquidity, and strategic challenges.
Before joining Grant Thornton in 2009, Jahani worked at PWC from 1996 and Ferrier Hodgson from 1998.
His appointment as CEO was made by Grant Thornton’s independent board, including three non-executive directors.
Jahani said: “Stepping into the CEO role is truly an honour and I embrace the responsibility of guiding Grant Thornton into this new era. Our firm’s extraordinary potential flows from our distinctive culture, our clients experience this difference because every decision we make is anchored in CARE, with our values at the core.
“Moving forward, I will build upon our tremendous achievements, fostering an environment where both our exceptional clients and remarkable team members can thrive.”
Keith added: “I am delighted to hand over the reins to Said from 1 July and have no doubt his expertise and commitment to the firm will ensure its sustainability and long-term success. Reflecting on my ten-year term as CEO, I have enjoyed all the challenges and opportunities that come with steering a truly remarkable firm that has achieved so much in a relatively short time.
“I am immensely proud of each and every one of our people at the firm, and particularly Said, as he has put himself forward to lead and made a promise to commit to the firm, our CARE values, its people, clients and communities.”
In March 2025, Grant Thornton announced the appointment of Merilyn Gwan to the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB) by the Australian Financial Reporting Council.
Gwan, the partner and head of the assurance quality practice, is the first representative from Grant Thornton to join the AUASB, where she will provide guidance on Australian Auditing Standards.
