The Big Interview

Stephen Tennant, Grant Thornton: ‘I still see more opportunities in our financial services practice’

Grant Thornton’s incoming new chief executive on his dreams of playing professional football in Scotland, why Ireland’s economy is resilient, his goals for the firm and how a chance introduction brought him to Ireland

Stephen Tennant: ‘When I look back on those years, there was so much distress. We were paid to do a job but there was so much distress around.’ Picture: Fergal Phillips

Growing up as a child in Scotland, Stephen Tennant dreamed of being a professional footballer. The Aberdeen native wanted to follow in the footsteps of Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness and Alan Hansen.

“I played centre-half and it was mostly non-league football. I was loud and chirpy on the pitch, and I could organise a defence. I was what you might call good captain material, but I was never the greatest footballer. Deep down I knew I wasn’t good enough to make it as a professional,” he tells the Business Post.