Grant Thornton Expands in Catalonia: What It Means and Why It Matters to the Spanish Business Market

In May 2025, Grant Thornton made a strategic move that may shape the future of advisory services in Catalonia. With the appointment of two seasoned professionals, Jordi Bachs and Alexandre Casado, the firm is bolstering its financial advisory and tax consulting businesses to better respond to the increasingly complex needs of regional and international clients. Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening—and why it’s important.

📌 Key Highlights:

• Grant Thornton reinforced its Barcelona office, hiring two new partners to lead its financial advisory and tax consulting teams.
• The company aims to serve middle-market, international clients and family-owned businesses with deeper expertise.
• These changes reflect a commitment to developing internal talent and preparing for tax reforms, sustainability laws, and global standards.

1. Meet the New Partners: Experience & Expertise

✨ Jordi Bachs – Partner, Financial Advisory

• Joins with 18+ years of experience in corporate finance (previously at PwC and Norgestión).
• Officially part of Grant Thornton since 2013.
• Specialties: Business and intangible asset valuation, M&A, and debt restructuring.
• Target Clients: Medium-sized companies, family businesses, and international firms seeking smarter capital strategies.

✨ Alexandre Casado – Partner, Tax Practice

• Background in financial consulting: Caixa Terrassa and a boutique tax consulting firm.
• With Grant Thornton since 2013.
• Areas of focus: Tax planning, group restructuring, international tax audits, due diligence.
• Roles include: Navigating new tax laws, digital tax systems, and EU directives on sustainability and carbon reporting.

“The promotion of Jordi and Alexandre reflects our commitment to professional excellence, internal talent, and client-focused solutions,”
says Ramón Galcerán, Grant Thornton Spain’s chairman.

2. Why Catalonia? Why Now?

📍 The Barcelona office has over 200 professionals across accounting, tax, and advisory services. It's one of the firm’s key hubs in Spain.

🚀 Catalonia is seeing:

• Increased M&A activity from both domestic and international investors.
• Stricter EU environmental tax regulations coming into effect.
• Demand for tech-driven tax reporting amid digital transformation.

📊 According to Spain’s National Statistics Institute:

• Foreign investment in Catalonia grew +12.6% YoY in Q1 2025.
• SMEs accounted for 71% of local employment, needing scalable professional support.

3. Strategic Expansion: Not Just Local Impact

This local expansion aligns with the firm’s global strategy:

🌍 In April 2025:

• Grant Thornton integrated UAE, Luxembourg, and Cayman offices into its global advisory network.
• In October 2024, partnered with Grant Thornton Ireland to streamline international tax services.

The goal? To build a seamless advisory experience for businesses operating in multiple jurisdictions—something cross-border firms and funds value more than ever before.

4. Why This Matters to Business Owners & Investors

💼 For business owners:

• Expertise in valuation, M&A, and restructuring helps improve decision making in volatile markets.
• Updated guidance on green tax incentives, digital tax controls, and minimum tax standards supports regulatory compliance.

📈 For investors:

• Catalonia’s market potential, especially in sectors like technology, manufacturing, and hospitality, aligns with Grant Thornton’s tailored services.

Conclusion: A Smart Step Toward Advisory Leadership

This expansion in Barcelona is more than a hiring announcement—it’s a signal to the market. As the Catalan region becomes an even more attractive destination for investment and entrepreneurship, the presence of experienced advisors like Bachs and Casado helps to ensure that businesses, from local SMBs to international players, have the guidance they need to grow wisely and compliantly.

📌 Whether you’re a startup founder, a multinational CFO, or an advisor yourself, the message is clear: Catalonia is rising, and Grant Thornton wants to lead that journey with you.

✍️ Stay tuned for more insights on Spain’s regional business transformations, global advisory trends, and who you should know in Europe’s thriving professional services scene.