Every month, we pose questions to a Chamber member. This time it’s one of our Strategic Partners, Grant Thornton
Meet Liz Green, Tax Director & Kirsty Wheadon, Business Advisory Director.
Strategic Partners are a small group of leading businesses who work closely with Chamber to support the local business community, build stronger connections across the islands, and help steer priorities on the issues members care about.
1. Beyond your job title, what do you actually do?
Liz Green
LG: A real day for me varies but it will always involve emails, lots of them! Reviewing tax returns and computations ranging from personal clients up to complex groups and everything in between. Drafting and reviewing advice on a wide range of topics, which includes often getting deep into the tax law and manuals which is interesting as it’s rarely black and white. Calls and meetings with clients both existing and new, including relocators which is always a pleasure to talk about how lovely our island is.
Finally, and one of the most important and enjoyable parts of my role is supporting my team whether that be on a technical query, coaching and helping towards their professional development or just taking a bit of time for a chat and a laugh which is certainly a welcome break from the technicalities of tax!
Kirsty Wheadon
KW: A real day for me is best described as a line‑up of tasks that seem to organise themselves with a mind of their own. One minute I’m knee‑deep in a set of financials, the next I’m working through a valuation wondering how numbers can be so well‑behaved one day and completely unruly the next. I’m also juggling team support, attempting to tame my inbox (a losing battle most days), and heading out to meet potential new clients. It’s a chaotic mix — but somehow it all comes together, and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
2. What’s something people don’t realise about your company?
What often surprises people is just how much we actually do. Most see a snapshot of our work and our lovely offices and think we only work with large corporate business.
But behind the scenes there’s an entire breadth of services that clients don’t always realise we offer.
We support a huge number of local people and businesses — far more than people expect — and the work ranges from helping them navigate tricky regulatory changes to guiding long‑term strategic decisions as well as helping them keep on top of their annual tax compliance and accounting requirements.
A lot of the time, we’re not just providing a single service; we’re working alongside businesses in multiple ways, depending on what they need. That breadth, and the number of organisations we quietly help every day, is usually the thing that makes people say, “I had no idea you did all that.”
3. What’s shifting in your industry right now that most people haven’t clocked yet?
One of the biggest shifts happening in our industry is the rapid acceleration of technology and AI — much faster than most people realise. It’s no longer just about automating the simple tasks; AI is increasingly becoming part of how we analyse data, deliver insights, and support businesses in making decisions.
The real change is happening beneath the surface: clients are starting to expect real‑time information, smarter forecasting, and more proactive guidance, and AI is playing a huge role in enabling that.
At the same time, these tools are reshaping how we work internally — from streamlining processes to giving us more time to focus on the parts of our job that genuinely need human judgement. It’s a shift that’s already influencing how we upskill, how we collaborate, and how we think about the future of advisory work. Many people haven’t quite clocked how transformative this will be — but those of us in the thick of it can already see just how much it’s going to redefine our industry.
4. What’s your team genuinely proud of at the moment?
LG: Tax is a very deadline drive world and I’m proud of my team and how they always pull together and do their very best to make sure deadlines are met for clients even when we have very little time following the receipt of information to turn the tax return around to ensure a timely position.
KW: Lately, our team has been especially proud of the work we’ve been doing on a large outsourcing assignment. It’s been one of those projects where every single person — at every level — has pulled together, shared the load, and genuinely cared about delivering a first‑class service. Watching everyone bring their best, support one another, and stay so passionate about getting it right has honestly warmed my heart. It’s been a real reminder of what we can achieve when we work as one team.
5. Why does being a Chamber strategic partner make sense for your business right now?
It makes sense because it strengthens our visibility within the local business community while helping us build meaningful connections with organisations across the island.
It’s a valuable opportunity to engage more closely with the businesses we support, understand the challenges they’re facing, and play a more active role in the conversations shaping the local economy.
Just as importantly, it allows us to give something back — whether that’s through sharing our expertise, contributing to key initiatives, or participating in events that bring the community together. The partnership creates a platform for collaboration, insight, and impact, which aligns strongly with the way we want to support and champion local businesses.
6. After a tough day, what’s your reset?
LG: Depends how tough! A walk and some music, going to the gym, baking or a large glass of wine!
KW: It usually comes down to something simple and comforting. Often it’s watching some TV — although I’d be far too embarrassed to admit what my guilty‑pleasure show actually is! My favourite reset, though, is dancing around the kitchen with my daughter. It’s impossible not to feel better after that!
