Gary
Harding

WHO I HELP

International groups. Large corporates. High-growth organisations. Complex groups.

HOW I HELP

Audit & Assurance.

SECTORS/SUPPORT

Leisure & hospitality. Manufacturing. Transport & logistics. Retail.

“HELPING BUSINESSES DREAM BIGGER AND DELIVER.”

Gary Harding is the Head of Audit at AAB, bringing more than 30 years of experience working with complex, fast-growth and international businesses across a wide range of sectors. Throughout his career, Gary has supported ambitious organisations as they scale, expand internationally, and navigate complex regulatory and commercial environments. Gary works closely with business owners, boards and leadership teams, helping them see audit not simply as a compliance exercise but as a powerful tool for insight, improvement, and future-focused decision‑making.

Gary was inspired to pursue a career in audit by the variety, challenge and opportunity it offered. No two businesses are the same, and no two days are ever identical.  From early-stage entrepreneurial ventures through to major international groups, Gary has always been drawn to understanding how businesses really work – their people, processes, risks and ambitions. That curiosity, combined with a desire to build high-performing teams and leave organisations stronger than he found them, continues to shape his approach today.

In his role at AAB, alongside supporting and developing a leading audit offering and team, Gary plays a key role in setting strategy, driving growth and investing in specialist skills and people.

RELATIONSHIPS BUILT ON TRUST

“Strong client relationships start with authenticity. I believe in being open, honest and genuine from day one. Clients need advisers they can trust, especially when difficult conversations are required, and that trust is built through consistency and transparency.

One of my non-negotiables is taking the time to understand the people behind the business. When you understand what drives them, you can provide advice that truly matters. That’s what allows me to deliver not just reassurance, but constructive challenge when it’s needed.

I’ve seen firsthand how powerful long-term relationships can be. Working with clients from start-up through to exit, supporting them along their growth journey, is one of the most rewarding aspects of my role. Being there at pivotal moments, helping them navigate and overcome obstacles and celebrating success together, is something I never take for granted.”

DEPTH AND PERSPECTIVE

“With more than 30 years in the profession, I bring a depth of experience that allows me to see the bigger picture. I’ve worked with businesses of all sizes across leisure and hospitality, manufacturing, transport and logistics, retail and many other sectors. That breadth means I’m able to apply learnings from one environment to another, often spotting emerging issues and opportunities early.

I’ve spent much of my career working with fast-growth, entrepreneurial and international businesses, invaluable for clients navigating periods of change. Growth brings excitement, but it also brings complexity, risk and pressure. My role is to help clients maintain control while continuing to progress with clarity and confidence.

NO TWO DAYS ARE THE SAME

“One of the biggest challenges I’ve navigated throughout my career is managing complex and varied portfolios, where priorities can shift daily. I’ve learned that success comes from adaptability, strong teams and clear communication.

Rather than seeing complexity as a problem, I see it as an opportunity to add value. By staying organised, focused and proactive, I’m able to support clients effectively even in fast-moving and uncertain environments. Those lessons continue to influence how I lead teams and advise clients today.”

FROM STARTUP TO SUCCESS

“One of the most rewarding client relationships I’ve experienced began even before the business was a client. I supported the founders through the early start-up phase, guiding them as the business grew, expanded and eventually exited. Along the way, there were challenges – rapid growth, changing structures and increasing complexity, but by working closely together, we navigated each stage successfully.

Looking back at that journey fills me with pride, not just in the outcome, but in having been trusted to support the people behind the business at every step.”

WHY AAB?

“AAB stands out for its people. It’s a supportive, friendly and ambitious organisation where collaboration is real. I’m passionate about building high-performing teams, investing in talent and creating an environment where people enjoy coming to work and feel empowered to do their best work.

Being part of AAB allows me to focus on building something lasting: a team, a service line and a culture that continues to grow and evolve.”

FUTURE-FOCUSED AUDIT

“The audit profession is changing rapidly, and keeping pace with technology, particularly AI, is one of the biggest opportunities we have. I’m passionate about using technology to deliver greater efficiency, deeper insight and more value for clients, while also making the role more engaging and rewarding for our teams.

Scaling the audit team, investing in specialist skills and expanding our geographic and technical capabilities are key priorities for me. My ambition is simple: to help AAB grow even stronger and continue delivering great results for clients and colleagues.”

CHANGING PERCEPTIONS

“One misconception about audit is that it is dull or purely about numbers. In reality, it’s a profession that opens doors to new experiences, new industries and new people. It’s enabled me to travel the world, work with inspiring businesses and allowed me to build relationships that last decades.

For me, Audit is about opportunity, insight and ambition. And that’s what I aim to deliver every day – helping clients dream big, set bold ambitions and achieve outcomes they’re proud of, with confidence and clarity.”