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As the first woman to lead a major accounting firm, Sacha sought to transform a company and an industry that was often resistant to change. By focusing on Grant Thornton’s people and what they could offer, the culture became a more inclusive, supportive and innovative one. Incorporating lessons in leadership, change, resilience and diversity, Sacha examines what underpins an organisation, what its values are, and how understanding these elements can make it fit for the future.
View / Submit“Sasha was very inspiring, engaging and gave us lots of practical tips and tools”
The Royal Bank of Scotland
The first woman to serve as CEO of a major accounting firm, Sacha Romanovitch led efforts to modernise Grant Thornton, and the wider professional services industry. Her work was characterised by a drive towards diversity, responsibility, personal development, purpose and collaboration.
After an early entrepreneurial venture at university, where she studied chemistry, Sacha decided to learn how business works and qualified as an accountant and then joining Grant Thornton. Within a decade she became a Partner and the first member of the board directly responsible for People and Culture.
As a Partner and later as CEO, Sacha broke down barriers and drove changes at Grant Thornton, fostering a culture shared enterprise, purpose and diversity. The company reduced its focus on the academic achievements of new applicants, focusing more on what they have to offer. It was a policy that encouraged greater diversity and helped to create a more open, innovative culture.
Following Grant Thornton, Sacha led Fair4All Finance, a non-profit start-up working with the financial sector to address systemic challenges and tackle individual financial wellbeing. She also served as Non-Executive Director at Leapfrog Investments, a leading purpose-driven investment business, and was Chair of the Commission for Healthier Working Lives for The Health Foundation.
Sacha considers how companies implement strategies, develop new leaders, define and energise culture, and how they can make a positive contribution to the world. By placing purpose at the centre of what they do, with leaders that live that purpose, organisations can be robust, sustainable, innovative, and fit for the future.
Sacha has co-chaired the Inclusive Economy Partnership, a government-convened group focused on areas of mental health, transition to work, and financial inclusion. She also worked with the Levelling Up Advisory Council, the National Financial Wellbeing Strategy, and London and Partners, which works with the Mayor’s office to promote London internationally. Sacha has been a part of official reviews and reports into areas including diversity, social mobility and a range of issues affecting the auditing industry, and is a non-executive director of the Association of British Insurers.
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