Steve Grivas has been appointed managing partner of accountants and business advisers HLB Mann Judd Sydney, succeeding Tony Fittler who has stepped down after more than 20 years in the role.

Mr Grivas is an assurance and advisory partner, and joined the firm in 1998 after graduating with a bachelor of business (accounting and finance) from the University of Technology Sydney.

As managing partner, Mr Grivas will be responsible for driving the continued growth of the firm, setting the strategic direction, and managing the business operations.

Mr Fittler congratulated Mr Grivas on being appointed to the role.

“Steve is stepping into the leadership position at a time of major change and innovation in the accounting profession and I am looking forward to seeing the firm continue to grow and adapt under his guidance.

“Steve has a deep understanding of our business and our industry and will bring new ideas and approaches to how we do things, while at the same time maintaining our philosophy and culture of client service.”

Mr Fittler will continue to be chairman of the HLB Mann Judd Australasian Association as well as working as a senior tax partner in the Sydney firm.

Mr Grivas says there are a number of opportunities and challenges that he is looking forward to responding to.

“As a firm and as a profession, we need to keep innovating in a world that is continually changing. New developments, such as in technology and AI, present both opportunities and threats that we need to respond to in order to thrive, and there are a number of initiatives that we will be working on to build our capabilities.

“At the same time, our people remain central to our approach and we continue to focus on how to attract the right talent and enhance our expertise and knowledge, so that we can best serve our clients.

“I am stepping into big shoes – Tony has led this firm for more than 20 years, and I thank him for the significant role he has played in the ongoing success of HLB Mann Judd Sydney,” Mr Grivas says.

Mr Grivas will also continue working with a number of his assurance and advisory clients.  He specialises in financial services, funds management, freight forwarding and customs broking, real estate, and building and construction.  Mr Grivas is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors, as well as a registered company auditor and a CA business valuation specialist.

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