What changes are taking place from 1 July?
We are entering a new chapter in the firm's leadership. Our former Managing Partner, Dainis Tunsts, celebrated his 70th birthday this year and has decided to retire after many years of dedicated leadership. I am honoured to succeed him in this role.
This transition has been carefully planned over several years. We have also strengthened our leadership structure by appointing Raivis Irbītis and Aleksandrs Vellers as Partners in Latvia. Both also serve as members of the Management Board, ensuring continuity and a strong foundation for the firm's future development.
How are responsibilities divided among the partners?
I will continue leading our Accounting Outsourcing department while also representing Latvia on the Grant Thornton Baltic Partners' Council. The Managing Partner of each Baltic member firm—Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia—serves on the Council, which is responsible for shaping the strategic development of Grant Thornton Baltic across the region.
Raivis Irbītis continues to lead our Audit and Assurance practice, while Aleksandrs Vellers oversees Financial and Business Advisory, Tax Advisory, Legal Services and Valuation.
What are Grant Thornton's core service lines?
Today, Accounting Outsourcing and Audit are our two largest business lines, each generating approximately 40% of the firm's revenue. Business Advisory, Tax Advisory and Legal Services account for the remaining 20%. Our Latvian team currently consists of around 75 professionals, including 28 specialists in Accounting Outsourcing and 25 in Audit.
Our objective is to continue strengthening all of our service lines while expanding our capabilities in response to evolving client needs and market opportunities.
What is Grant Thornton's ambition in Latvia?
Our ambition is to be the leading professional services firm beyond the Big Four. Earlier this year, our market research confirmed that Grant Thornton is now the fifth-largest audit and advisory firm in Latvia, which means we have achieved that objective locally. Globally, Grant Thornton ranks as the sixth-largest professional services network, giving us a strong international platform on which to build.
Why is this ambition important? Is the goal to compete directly with the Big Four?
The Big Four have their own well-established market position, client base and business model. Many large international tenders specifically require a Big Four firm.
Our clients are looking for something different. They seek the same level of technical expertise, professional quality and trusted advice, combined with a more personal approach and competitive pricing. Competition among firms in our market segment is intense, so maintaining our position requires continuous investment in our people, expertise and client relationships. We are proud to be recognised as the leading alternative to the Big Four in Latvia.
You have spent much of your career with Grant Thornton. How did your journey begin?
My professional career began working alongside Dainis Tunsts when I was in my early twenties. Over the years I gained experience in tax advisory, audit and accounting outsourcing before joining Grant Thornton through the merger of three firms, representing BDO Invest Rīga.
One of my key responsibilities was developing our Accounting Outsourcing practice. Together with an outstanding team, we have successfully implemented significant organisational changes and built what I believe is one of the strongest accounting outsourcing teams in Latvia today. This achievement belongs to the entire team, and I am sincerely grateful for their professionalism, dedication and commitment.
Can you tell us a little about how you joined Grant Thornton?
I have worked alongside Dainis Tunsts since the very beginning of my career. I was just 21 or 22 years old at the time. Early on, I specialised in tax advisory, audit and accounting outsourcing. I joined Grant Thornton when three firms merged, representing the BDO Invest Rīga side of the merger.
One of my key responsibilities was developing the Accounting Outsourcing department. Over the years, we have gone through several significant reorganisations that have delivered excellent results. Today, I believe we have one of the strongest accounting outsourcing teams in Latvia. I owe a great deal of that success to my team, and I would like to sincerely thank them for their professionalism and dedication.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I enjoy both sports and travelling. I have visited almost every continent, exploring different cultures, traditions and cuisines. One of my most memorable experiences was a safari trip to Tanzania, where I spent a week observing lions, elephants, giraffes, hippos and many other wild animals from just a few metres away.
Another unforgettable adventure was my trip to New Zealand earlier this year. On the way there, I had a layover in Doha, only to learn that the airport was closed the day after my departure due to the conflict in the Middle East. As a result, I had to completely rearrange my journey home, travelling back via the United States. In the end, during those three weeks, I quite literally travelled around the world.
Anyone who knows me knows that I am passionate about sports. I enjoy hiking, mountain trekking and cycling, and I rarely miss the opportunity to support major sporting events.
I have no problem getting up in the middle of the night to watch an NBA game. I was also one of the relatively small number of Latvian supporters who travelled to Portugal for UEFA Euro 2004—the only time Latvia's national football team has qualified for the UEFA European Championship finals. Over the years, I have attended numerous IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships, and one of last year's highlights was watching Europe's top basketball stars compete live in Riga. Whenever I visit London, attending a Premier League football match in a stadium packed with more than 50,000 fans is always an essential part of the trip.
And finally, there's my dog, Akira—my most loyal companion. She is full of energy and always keeps me active. At least once a year, I plan a road trip where she can come along. Last summer we explored Norway's spectacular fjords together, while we welcomed the New Year in Poland and Berlin. This summer, we're planning another adventure—travelling through the Balkans together.
