Private Equity Firms Interested in Grant Thornton Sale

Bridgepoint and Cinven have entered the competitive landscape of private equity firms looking to acquire a stake in Grant Thornton, the UK’s sixth-largest accountancy firm. The firm is set to initiate a sale process next month, with plans to sell a majority stake to external investors. Sources familiar with the situation indicate that the sale is being managed by Rothschild, which is advocating for a 60 percent stake to be sold to private equity firms. The proposed sale aims to attract significant investment while retaining a portion of ownership for current employees. This strategy is designed to incentivize partners to remain with the firm, ensuring continuity and stability during the transition. The involvement of major private equity players like Bridgepoint and Cinven highlights the growing interest in the accountancy sector, particularly in firms with a strong market presence. In addition to Bridgepoint and Cinven, CVC Capital Partners, another prominent private equity firm, has also shown interest in Grant Thornton. CVC currently owns a stake in a Spanish accountancy firm, further indicating the trend of private equity firms diversifying their portfolios within the professional services sector. As the sale process unfolds, the outcome will be closely watched by industry analysts and competitors alike, as it could reshape the landscape of accountancy services in the UK and beyond. The final decision on the sale structure and the chosen investors will likely have significant implications for Grant Thornton's future operations and strategic direction.