Keynote SpeakersSacha Romanovitch OBE is the former CEO of Grant Thornton UK.
Sacha became the first female CEO of a major accounting firm when she took the helm at Grant Thornton UK and joined the global board.
Known for her radical thinking and leadership, her tenure was marked by efforts to transform the firm into a modern, progressive business characterised by diversity, responsibility, personal development, openness, and collaboration.
Sacha began at university, where she studied chemistry and started an entrepreneurial venture. Seeking to understand business mechanics, she qualified as an accountant and joined Grant Thornton.
Within a decade, she became a Partner and, driven by her passion for talent development, became the first board member responsible for People and Culture.
Sacha aimed to dismantle barriers within the organisation and the broader professional services sector, which often resisted change. Central to her approach was understanding the values and purpose of a business and its people, as well as their role in society. By engaging with everyone and offering development opportunities, she believed even those resistant to change could be persuaded.
Under Sacha’s leadership, Grant Thornton adopted a culture of shared enterprise and purpose-driven profit. The firm shifted its focus from new applicants’ academic achievements to their potential contributions, promoting greater diversity and fostering a more open, innovative, and positive culture.
She is a leader in the responsible and purposeful business movement.
In her final year as CEO, Sacha was ranked among the top 50 CEOs in the Glassdoor index, just two places behind Apple’s Tim Cook. She also received a 94% employee approval rating. The firm also received numerous accolades, including the Queen’s Award for Enterprise and a top ranking on the UK Social Mobility Index.
Sacha Romanovitch OBE – Keynote Speaker
Drawing on her extensive experience and research into people, change, and leadership, Sacha examines how companies can be robust, sustainable, and future-ready.
She explores strategy implementation, leadership development, and how businesses can positively impact the world.
Popular speaking themes include:
- Culture change within legacy organisations.
- Creating a people-centric organisation.
- Diversity, inclusivity and transparency within organisations.
- Resilient but values-led leadership
- Diversifying the talent and recruitment process.
- Creating a diverse mindset in leaders and organisations.
More recently, Sacha was CEO of Fair4All Finance, an organisation dedicated to improving vulnerable individuals’ financial well-being and security. She co-chairs the Inclusive Economy Partnership, a government-convened initiative focusing on mental health, transition to work, and financial inclusion. This initiative unites business, society, and politics to drive change.
Sacha also sits on the board of London & Partners, collaborating with the Mayor of London’s office. She has contributed to official reviews and reports on diversity, social mobility, and issues affecting the auditing industry.
