Grant Thornton, a provider of audit, assurance, tax, and advisory services, has appointed Rick Surett as its new chief financial officer (CFO).

Surett will assume the role on 2 June 2025, taking over from Muhammad Bhayat, who retires after a tenure of more than two decades with the company.

Grant Thornton Jim Peko said: “Rick brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective that will help us continue driving value for our clients and our people — especially now, as we expand our multinational platform from America across Europe and into the Middle East.”

“At the same time, Muhammad’s tenure at Grant Thornton has been a foundational part of this firm and he has made an immeasurable impact on our people and our business.”

Surett brings around 30 years of financial expertise to Grant Thornton, having worked with both private equity-backed companies and in public markets, managing complex capital structures.

His previous position as CFO of Transportation Equipment Network in North America saw him enhance operational efficiency and scalability significantly.

His career also includes leadership roles at Ports America, including CFO, and a stint as director of corporate development at Avaya.

His educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Siena College and an MBA in finance from the State University of New York at Albany.

Surett said: “Joining Grant Thornton as CFO will mean partnering with our exceptional teams across the organisation to strengthen our financial strategy and support the firm’s continued momentum.”

In May 2025, Grant Thornton appointed Storme Sixeas as the new leader of Tax Legislative Affairs within its Washington National Tax Office (WNTO.