Grant Thornton UK LLP has announced a groundbreaking £1 million investment in a transformative business programme, in partnership with Data Literacy Academy. This initiative is designed to equip employees with the tools to adopt a forward-thinking, data-driven digital mindset. Unlike traditional data training, which focuses mainly on data analysis skills, the programme aims to empower individuals to tackle challenges and seize opportunities through innovative, digital solutions.
Understanding that true digital transformation extends beyond technology to include cultural and operational shifts, Grant Thornton’s programme places emphasis on cultivating the right mindset to drive innovation and sustainable growth. The “3D” Data-Driven Digital Mindset training, a first-of-its-kind partnership with the Data Literacy Academy, will be rolled out initially for leaders (Partner, Director, and Associate Director levels) and new Associates, with further investment planned for future cohorts.
The 3D programme will consist of a series of bespoke learning modules, covering diverse areas such as Data Leadership, Foundations of Data and Digital Skills of the Future, amongst others; underpinned by both theoretical and practical courses delivered over several months.
By fostering the digital mindsets of colleagues at both entry and leadership levels, the firm will rapidly accelerate its data and digital momentum and culture across teams, driving significant improvements to how colleagues work with one another, with clients and encourage further innovation via the development of new ideas and solutions.
Alan Dale, Head of Data, Digital and Technology at Grant Thornton UK LLP, commented: “Whilst data fluency and digital capabilities are nothing new for our people, significantly upskilling our teams both at senior and more junior levels with the latest thinking and trends in this fast-moving space will enable us to stay at the cutting-edge of our profession.
“Our commitment to continued investment in data and digital, and ensuring our people are at the vanguard of technological advancement in our sector, gives us a unique opportunity to reflect on how we work in a way that is better for our people, our clients and our firm. This will enable us to make smarter, faster decisions whilst upholding the high standards of quality that our clients expect. We’re delighted to be the first of our peers in the sector to offer this type of data and digital training to our people.
“We were excited by Data Literacy Academy’s unique approach to learning, as they blend the theories and practicalities of data learning to ultimately shift people’s mindset and capabilities. We look forward to our ongoing collaboration with the team over the coming years.”
Greg Freeman, Founder and CEO of Data Literacy Academy added: “Our partnership with Grant Thornton has already been an unbelievable journey, and its senior leaders are doing something really bold here. They’re buying into a critical business enabler while putting their people at the heart of it, because tech and data-enabled people drive change.
“The Grant Thornton team understands that data literacy, and the cultural shift it brings, will be a catalyst for their data and digital-led approach – unlocking the success of the firm for today and well into the future. I can’t wait to see the incredible impact that the programme will have on Grant Thornton’s people, culture, customers and the future of accountancy.”
The 3D programme builds on Grant Thornton’s continuous digital transformation journey, which has seen the firm invest significantly over recent years in Technology and Digital Services for clients as well as data, digital and AI tools to enable its people to harness the power of new technologies to improve the overall client experience.
