Grant Thornton Expands in Belfast, Bringing New Jobs to City Centre

Belfast is set to see a further boost to its business landscape as Grant Thornton, a prominent professional services firm, announces plans to relocate its city office to The Ewart on Bedford Square in early 2027. This exciting development comes on the heels of remarkable growth for the company, which created over 70 new roles in its Belfast office last year alone.

Grant Thornton's expansion reflects a decade of significant progress, seeing its local team grow from just 30 people to 250 by the end of last year. This rapid increase in staff in 2025 has solidified its position as one of the region’s top professional services providers, driven by increasing client demand for high-quality advisory, audit, and tax services. The firm has signed a lease with MRP for an impressive 23,000 sq ft of office space across two floors within the state-of-the-art building.

This growth in Belfast mirrors Grant Thornton’s global success and the evolution of its multinational platform. The new office at The Ewart, a striking architectural landmark, is conveniently located close to their current premises on Donegall Square West, where they have operated since 2017. The workspace will be meticulously designed to support both current needs and future expansion as the firm continues to invest in the region.

Sustainability is also a key feature of the new move, aligning with Grant Thornton’s commitment to an environmentally conscious workplace. The Ewart has achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating, a leading sustainability standard. This commitment to green building practices is consistent with the firm's Dublin and Cork offices, which hold LEED Gold certifications.

Steve Tennant, Managing Partner for Grant Thornton Ireland and EMEA CEO of the Grant Thornton Advisors multinational platform, shared his enthusiasm for the move. “Our relocation to The Ewart, alongside the creation of more than 70 new roles in 2025, underscores both our ambition and our strong belief in the Northern Ireland market,” he said. “Over the past decade, Grant Thornton in Belfast has gone from strength to strength, and we are proud to serve many of Northern Ireland’s largest indigenous and multinational companies. Our continued growth is a testament to the exceptional work our Belfast team delivers for clients locally and globally, and we eagerly anticipate further expansion.”

Richard Gillan, Managing Partner for Grant Thornton Northern Ireland, added, “With our market-leading Audit, Tax, and Advisory teams experiencing rapid growth, we are thrilled for our Belfast office to move to The Ewart in early 2027. By continuing to invest in our office and our people in Belfast, we are ensuring we have the essential resources to support organisations as they navigate complexity, seize opportunities, and grow sustainably.”

Paul Beacom, Development Director at MRP, welcomed Grant Thornton, stating, “MRP is delighted to welcome Grant Thornton to The Ewart. This letting is another strong endorsement of the building's quality and prime location. They will join an impressive lineup of firms across legal, financial, and consulting sectors, further enhancing the building’s reputation for leading professional services. The Ewart now has just one floor remaining, marking a significant milestone in its leasing success.” This move signifies continued confidence in Belfast as a vibrant hub for professional services and job creation.