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Ashurst adds 3 risk advisory partners, launches new transformation risk offering
Within its risk consulting division, Ashurst has developed a new transformation risk offering and appointed three new partners, who bring a combined 66 years of experience to the firm.
Lauren Croft
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Global law firm Ashurst has expanded its risk consulting division, Ashurst Risk Advisory (ARA), with the addition of three partners and the launch of an integrated transformation risk offering.
According to the firm, new partners Rob Walsh, Jonathan Perkinson, and Mark Kuzma will further develop ARA and enhance the collaboration between the firm’s risk, legal and delivery offerings.
This follows the news in March that the firm had hired four new partners, three of which were to lead the firm’s new infrastructure, places, and capital projects advisory offering.
ARA was established in 2020 and now has 21 partners globally (18 in Australia, two in the UK, and one in the Middle East), posting revenue growth close to 50 per cent globally year on year, according to the firm.
The new integrated transformation risk offering will identify and mitigate transformation risks and engage with clients throughout the complete life cycle of major transformation programs to better manage risk and protect value, particularly in the banking, energy, utilities, and private equity sectors.
It will include program governance, comprehensive risk assessments, ongoing risk mitigation support, third-party risk and contracting management, oversight of program performance management (and associated course corrections) and assurance to business stakeholders, with the head of ARA Australia, Philip Hardy, calling the new offering a “significant milestone”.
“The expansion of Ashurst Risk Advisory with these strategic hires and the introduction of our transformation risk offering mark a significant milestone in our growth journey. In the last financial year, Ashurst’s Risk Advisory business was one of the firm’s fastest-growing practices, delivering outstanding growth of 47 per cent last financial year and demonstrating the increasing demand for integrated solutions from clients navigating complex global regulatory and commercial challenges,” he said.
“This recent development not only boosts our capabilities but also reinforces our commitment to delivering exceptional service and results.”
Rob Walsh joins Ashurst after spending 20 years as a partner in the risk advisory space, addressing concerns from the ACCC, ACMA, APRA, AUSTRAC, ASIC, and OAIC on changing market landscape matters. He has led multidisciplinary, cross-border teams across Hong Kong, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States and joins the firm from EY.
With more than 21 years of professional services experience, Jonathan Perkinson joins Ashurst from Deloitte, where he was a partner for 10 years and established its scams risk advisory practice, and will lead ARA’s scams and fraud practice.
Finally, Mark Kuzma also joins Ashurst from Deloitte, where he was a partner for 12 years. He has more than 25 years of experience across public, listed, and private entities and will lead ARA’s new transformation risk offering.
Commenting on the new appointments, the co-head of Ashurst Advance and Consulting, Jamie Ng, said he was “delighted to welcome Rob, Jonathan and Mark” to the growing risk advisory team.
“Their appointments, along with additional ARA partner hires in the pipeline, demonstrate Ashurst’s ability to attract top talent from the market and reflect strong client demand for integrated legal, NewLaw and risk advice,” he said.
“All three partners are highly respected risk professionals with proven track records for delivering innovative and integrated solutions to complex challenges. Their expertise will be sought after by Australian businesses that face rapidly changing legal and regulatory environments and need help to operationalise those requirements.”
Lauren Croft
Lauren is a journalist at Lawyers Weekly and graduated with a Bachelor of Journalism from Macleay College. Prior to joining Lawyers Weekly, she worked as a trade journalist for media and travel industry publications and Travel Weekly. Originally born in England, Lauren enjoys trying new bars and restaurants, attending music festivals and travelling. She is also a keen snowboarder and pre-pandemic, spent a season living in a French ski resort.
