FTI Consulting launches its IGP&S practice in the Middle East

The Middle East wing of global consulting firm FTI Consulting has launched a new practice: Information Governance, Privacy & Security. 

Part of FTI Consulting’s Technology division (one of the firm’s five main units), the Information Governance, Privacy & Security (IGP&S) practice advises and supports clients with topics including technology governance, privacy, IT compliance, cybersecurity, digital forensics and investigations, e-discovery, and the delivery of information technology projects. 

Already operating in over 20 countries, including the US, the UK, Germany and Australia, FTI Consulting has now expanded the practice into the Middle East. While the firm’s 50-strong headcount in the region already had a number of IGP&S capabilities under its belt, these have now been bundled to kickstart the formal launch of the unit. 

“Joining FTI Consulting and setting up the MENA Information Governance, Privacy and Security practice was one of the easiest decisions I've ever had to make, and I'm lucky to be surrounded by world class experts to help me build the best offering in the region,” said Ben Crew, a Dubai-based Senior Director who has been hired externally to lead the offering. 

Jake Frazier, the Global Head of the IGP&S practice, said that the push into the Middle East comes amid growing demand for its services. As Middle Eastern countries ramp up their regulatory oversight and rigor over data protection, companies in the region are seeking guidance on how to evaluate their risk, implement data privacy frameworks and uphold compliance.” 

Expanding on this, Crew said, “New privacy laws are significant drivers. The pandemic, especially the increase of people working from home, is another.” 

The new practice leader brings than 12 years of experience in the region to FTI Consulting. Crew: “I came to the UAE from the UK following a lengthy stint as a project manager for European regulatory projects at TD Direct Investing. In the region, I’ve worked on a number of merger, regulatory and privacy projects – in in-house and outside consultant roles – for two of the largest banks and the largest hotel chain in the region.” 

At Jumeirah Group, Crew run the company’s GDPR program. “I fell in love with the fundamentals of data privacy – the change it was evoking and that it was all about giving power back to data subjects, while still allowing corporations to use data to engage with their customers.” After that role, he served as a data privacy officer for several companies. 

He will now leverage that experience to setup and grow the IGP&S practice. “I’m focused on expanding and building relationships throughout the region and growing a sizeable team of experts.” While he is based in Dubai, “we’re looking at the whole of the region for this practice, across at least 35 jurisdictions spanning from Morocco to Pakistan, Turkey to Southern Africa.” 

In recent months, FTI Consulting strengthened its senior team in the Middle East with Stephen Haw (ex-Baringa) and Vikas Papriwal (ex-KPMG).