#United States #Chicago #Grant Thornton #Stax #Chen Liu

Grant Thornton Stax Welcomes Chen Liu as New Partner

Grant Thornton Stax, a prominent player within the Grant Thornton Advisors LLC multinational platform, has recently announced an important addition to its team. Chen Liu has been appointed as a Partner in the firm's Chicago office. Stax is renowned for its global strategy consulting services, especially in commercial due diligence, value creation, and exit planning catered towards private equity firms, hedge funds, and investment banks.

Chen Liu comes with over ten years of invaluable consulting experience. His expertise spans advising both private equity investors and corporate leaders on vital aspects such as buy- and sell-side due diligence, corporate strategy, and initiatives aimed at accelerating growth. With a robust portfolio boasting more than 100 projects in the technology sector, Chen has cultivated a wealth of knowledge across various domains, including EdTech, enterprise software, and administrative platforms, extending to GovTech solutions. His extensive work encompasses K-12 education, higher education, professional learning platforms, ERP, HR/HCM, CRM/CMS, workflow automation, and diverse back-office solutions.

Prior to joining Grant Thornton Stax, Chen was associated with EY-Parthenon’s private equity practice, focusing primarily on commercial due diligence for technology and B2B service industries. His appointment is set to fortify the firm's credibility in providing tailored consulting solutions across the technology and education sectors.

"We are thrilled to have Chen join our team at Grant Thornton Stax," expressed Paul Edwards, the Global Practice Lead for the firm. "His decade-long experience in strategizing with investors and management teams in scaling B2B services and software companies add significant depth to our offerings. Chen embodies qualities of curiosity, drive, and a mentorship mindset—attributes that blend seamlessly with our organizational culture. We are excited about the impact he will have on our leadership team, facilitating a workspace where exceptional talent thrives for the benefit of our clients."

Tom Puthiyamadam, national managing partner of Advisory Services at Grant Thornton Advisors LLC, echoed similar sentiments: "Chen's addition marks a crucial step in expanding our capabilities and enhancing our team’s agility. His insights are not just timely; they are transformative. By integrating the right subject matter experts, we are not merely enhancing our skill sets—we are sharpening our competitive edge by offering specialized, tech-driven solutions that meet the dynamic needs of our clientele."

Chen himself expressed a strong enthusiasm about his new role, stating, "What excites me most about joining Grant Thornton Stax is the firm’s entrepreneurial spirit and collaborative culture. Here, we operate with the agility and focus of a smaller firm while consistently delivering the depth and rigor expected of a global platform. This unique configuration truly distinguishes Grant Thornton Stax in the market. The focus on private equity aligns with my background and passions, and I am eager to contribute to our growth in this next exciting chapter under Grant Thornton. With my experience spanning technology and education, I am looking forward to further expanding our sector expertise and delivering greater value through innovative insights, AI-driven analyses, and strategic guidance."

About Grant Thornton Stax

Stax, now under the umbrella of Grant Thornton Advisors LLC, stands as a leading global management consulting firm that provides crucial services to both corporate and private equity clients across varied industries, including software/technology, healthcare, business services, industrial, consumer/retail, and education. The firm is dedicated to partnering with clients to deliver actionable, data-driven insights that fuel growth, enhance profitability, and empower informed investment decisions.

About Grant Thornton

Grant Thornton offers professional services in the US through two distinct divisions: Grant Thornton LLP—a licensed public accounting firm that specializes in audit and assurance services—and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC, which provides non-attest services including tax and advisory offerings. The formation of this multinational, multidisciplinary platform in January 2025 has enabled Grant Thornton to provide a comprehensive advisory and tax practice, alongside independent audit services. While spanning across the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East, the platform is dedicated to a cohesive client experience that harnesses enhanced solutions and expertise supported by advanced technologies. With a formidable workforce of 15,000 professionals, Grant Thornton is resolute in fostering exceptional career opportunities and nurturing a distinctive cross-border culture. As part of the Grant Thornton International Limited network, Grant Thornton benefits from a vast array of member firms across more than 150 global markets. It’s essential to note that while Grant Thornton refers to the brand under which these member firms provide their services, all member firms operate independently as separate legal entities.

For more information, please visit www.stax.com and follow Stax on LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, and Facebook.