Grant Thornton Ireland have announced that Martin Shanahan has officially taken up his role as Partner, Head of Industry and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) at the firm.
Mr. Shanahan joins the Professional Services firm after over eight years at the helm of IDA Ireland, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and expertise in industrial development and attracting business to Ireland. This experience aligns directly with the goals of Grant Thornton, who are building out their offering in terms of supporting industry in Ireland, with their advisory, tax, accounting and audit teams.
Speaking about his new position, Martin Shanahan, Partner, Head of Industry and Foreign Direct Investment at Grant Thornton said: “I am thrilled to take up my role as Partner with Grant Thornton Ireland, in what will be a new and exciting professional chapter for me. Grant Thornton is a firm that is dynamic and client-focused and is ambitious about building industry and supporting Foreign Direct Investment in Ireland. I share this ambition and I look forward to helping Grant Thornton in becoming the international advisor of choice for FDI.
I will work with Grant Thornton colleagues across all of our service offerings to ensure that we provide comprehensive leading support to clients in the technology, life sciences, engineering and the financial services sectors.
I particularly look forward to working with our international network to enhance global opportunities. My immediate focus will be working with Grant Thornton US to leverage the strong existing relationship between the US and Ireland.”
Welcoming Mr. Shanahan to his new role, Michael McAteer, Managing Partner at Grant Thornton Ireland said: “I am delighted to welcome Martin to Grant Thornton and to bring into fruition the plans and ambitions we share in terms of further growing Ireland’s position as a key location for global industry. Having led two government agencies at the highest level and been integrally involved in the development and execution of industrial policy for Ireland, Martin is the perfect fit to execute Grant Thornton’s plans for investing in Ireland and realising our ambitions as the leading advisor in the area of FDI.
In addition to Martin’s understanding of the international investment environment, key economic sectors and industrial development policy, Martin also brings with him vast experience of leadership within the public sector and understanding of the Governmental system.
Grant Thornton’s priority is to support domestic and international businesses and Government to navigate these and other opportunities and challenges. Grant Thornton’s focus on Industry and FDI under the leadership of Martin Shanahan positions us well to do that.
I have no doubt that Martin will add huge value to Grant Thornton as a whole.”
Martin Shanahan’s appointment as Partner, Head of Industry and Foreign Direct Investment further reflects the culture of growth and ambition within the FDI team at Grant Thornton, and across the firm as a whole, both in Ireland and internationally.