From manager to partner - Sinead Donovan

Sinead Donovan, audit and assurance partner from the Grant Thornton International member firm in Ireland talks about her participation in the International Partners' Development Programme.

"More than anything, I wanted to learn how other newly appointed partners had transitioned from manager to partner," admits Sinead Donovan. Sinead joined the Irish member firm's Dublin office in 2002 after several years with a biotech company, becoming a partner in 2005.

"Not only did I make contacts, but I also made friends," she says. "There was a willingness to share knowledge and talk openly, particularly among the female partners."

Sinead cites the personal development tuition as being particularly informative. "These are a far cry from traditional tuition courses," she says. "They really force you to examine yourself and your work ethic and then apply the conclusions to the Grant Thornton framework."

The participants on her programme continue to keep in touch, and plan to meet up in the near future. "I've even been asked to organise the reunion," she laughs.