Grant Thornton is considering selling a stake in its business to private equity investors, according to reports. 

The professional services firm is said to be in discussions with potential buyers and is working with advisers from Rothschild to evaluate its options.

Any potential deal would allow Grant Thornton’s audit division to remain majority-owned by its partners, ensuring regulatory compliance and independence.

A spokesperson for Grant Thornton UK stated that while the firm continuously assesses market conditions and strategic opportunities, it is not actively engaged in any transaction at this time and declined to comment further.

Grant Thornton UK employs approximately 5,000 people, including 200 partners, and is part of a global network spanning 135 countries with 58,000 employees. The firm reported a 7% increase in net revenue to £654m and an 18% rise in operating profit to £146m for the year ending December 31, 2023.

While economic conditions led to modest growth in advisory and tax services, the firm’s audit practice achieved strong performance gains throughout the year.

The potential investment discussions follow a similar move in May when private equity firm New Mountain Capital acquired a stake in Grant Thornton’s US operations to support its expansion plans.