Professional services firm AAB has appointed Jon Grainger as Chief Operating Officer.

He will oversee the technology, operations and integration functions, advancing the next phase of operational excellence and embedding end-to-end automation across the business.

He joins at a time of rapid innovation in professional services, where COOs increasingly come from technology and transformation backgrounds, underlining the growing connection between digital capability and operational scale. Grainger's track record in advanced automation and data-led transformation positions him to support AAB’s next phase of growth.

An early adopter of business automation, Grainger brings extensive experience delivering measurable efficiency gains across complex organisations. His leadership will help AAB enhance service delivery through intelligent automation while maintaining strong ethical and regulatory safeguards. He places people at the centre of processes, using technology to empower teams rather than replace the human expertise that defines the firm’s service. His arrival comes as the sector faces mounting challenges, including increased cybersecurity risks, fast-changing regulatory demands and the need for responsible, well-governed AI and automation. His background in building resilient, secure and compliant operating models will support AAB's ambition to innovate while meeting these expectations.

The appointment follows AAB's 2025 investment from Goldman Sachs Alternatives, which has accelerated growth, expanded capacity and reinforced the firm’s commitment to technology-led operational transformation.

As part of the transition, Derek Mitchell, who has served as Chief Operating Officer, will move into a newly created strategic role to lead key integration initiatives and critical projects across the group. His deep knowledge of AAB and operational experience will be vital to delivering the long-term integration roadmap and ensuring the success of major programmes in the years ahead.

Speaking about his appointment, Grainger said: "I'm delighted to be joining AAB at such an exciting stage in its growth. There is enormous potential in harnessing automation to create smarter, more agile operations – provided we do so responsibly and with people firmly at the centre. I look forward to working with our teams to build scalable, secure and efficient processes that enhance both our client service and the working experience of our colleagues."