Chris Grove

I am a Deal Advisory Partner focusing on Transaction Services and am passionate about promoting physical and mental wellbeing at BDO, and a very (very) keen cyclist.

I work with clients on both buy-side and sell-side transactions, helping them get the best possible value from deals. I have worked on more than 300 deals, and I am proud of being able to help so many clients achieve their objectives, and which for some, will represent one of the most significant events in their life.

I also lead the Unifying Culture element of BDO’s strategic framework – the "U" in BUILD and chair our U-Board. The U-Board brings together a group of business leaders and wellbeing champions, working to ensure that BDO’s culture is one that encourages our people to be themselves, feel challenged and empowered to do their best for their clients.

This role has taught me the importance of understanding, supporting, and motivating every person you work with if you want to achieve success. This has undoubtedly made me better at resolving the clashes of culture and business practice that inevitably arise on transactions, particularly where the entrepreneurial mind-set meets the corporate world.

Back in 2003 I worked on the buy-out of a premier housebuilder. I subsequently advised the management on various matters during some challenging times for the sector, building a strong relationship with the management team. When they decided to put the audit out to tender, they approached us, and I am pleased to say we won and remain the auditors today.

The Financial Controller at the time of the MBO, took over as Finance Director when the incumbent retired and subsequently stepped up to the CEO role. Over the years since the original MBO I have remained in close contact with him in both a formal capacity, providing advice when called upon, and also in a personal capacity, having attended his wedding – and also running the London Marathon with him.

Work-life balance is increasingly important for all of us. I am a passionate cyclist, and part-time windsurfer, surfer, and skier. I love getting out on the road, but cycling is more than just exercise for me. It is an opportunity to reflect, consider and recharge my mental batteries. It can also be an opportunity to meet like-minded people and share amazing and challenging experiences.

This is what led me to establish BDOVelo in 2015, a business and cycling network, aimed at connecting people with an interest in and love of two wheels. Whilst COVID curtailed our physical events for much of 2020, we successfully pivoted into the virtual world of webinars and rides to keep the community together. With things opened again, we headed back onto the open road and the network has continued to grow.