Leading financial and business adviser Grant Thornton UK LLP has appointed two new leaders within its northern Local Government Advisory team based in Spinningfields, Manchester.

Philip Monaghan becomes the regional advisory lead and will be supported by Simon Hardman who assumes the role of manager. In addition Andy Singleton has been appointed as executive within the team.

They are the latest additions to the dedicated national team offering advisory services to local authorities, police bodies and fire & rescue authorities across the North of England.

The Local Government Advisory team is part of the firm’s wider public sector assurance practice, which delivers external audit services to NHS bodies and local authorities.

The advisory team assists clients with: the provision of financial management and accounting advice, supporting the review and development of medium-term financial plans and strategies, financial resilience health checks, finance department “fit for purpose” reviews, governance reviews and supporting elected members in their scrutiny roles.

It also provides collaboration support including: options appraisal, business case development and review, due diligence, business planning advice and collaboration health checks for various Alternative Service Delivery Models such as shared services, establishment of local authority trusts, companies and mutual spin-offs.

In the North, the team’s work already includes successful client engagements with Cheshire East Council, Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Authority, Lancashire County Council, Sheffield City Council and Warrington MBC.

Philip Monaghan, regional advisory lead for the North, says:

“I am excited by this opportunity, and confident that the team will be able to provide distinct added value to our clients, and to support them in the significant opportunities and challenges they face over the short to medium term, to do things better with less resource and in a new era of devolution.”

Welcoming the appointments, Sarah Howard, partner and head of public sector at Grant Thornton said:

“Our instinct for growth really chimes with what with what public sector leaders want. So we are thrilled that the rapid growth of our local government advisory offering is meeting the needs of our clients.”

Mike Thomas, director at Grant Thornton added:

“Our new investment in this successful team confirms the priority and importance that the firm places on the public sector, and is in response to our clients request for additional support in navigating the financial, operational and strategic challenges they face.”