Global consultancy Ankura has made a grand entrance in India, launching two offices simultaneously and hiring a team of 40 professionals to kickstart its ambition to become a leading player in the country’s management consulting scene.
Commenting on the expansion into India, Amit Jaju, a Senior Managing Director at the firm, said: “India is a strategic market in the roadmap for expanding Ankura’s global footprint and bolstering its business growth.”
The roadmap he is referring to kicked off in 2018, when Ankura splashed out $470 million for the acquisition of two divisions from Navigant, in a move that more than doubled the firm’s headcount and turned it into a pan-global player.
Since then, Ankura set out on an international expansion drive (backed by further growth capital), closing targeted acquisitions of smaller firms and entering greenfield markets through the launch of new offices, with India the latest stop on its journey.
“Ankura’s continued global expansion and growing client needs in the Asia-Pacific region created a unique opportunity for us to open our India offices. India is a global hub for many industries where multinational companies are managing a myriad of complex issues, including the Covid-19 pandemic, cost pressures, and regulatory changes,” said Kevin Lavin, Ankura’s Chief Executive Officer.
The offices in Mumbai and Gurgaon offer Ankura’s wide range of multidisciplinary client offerings. “Our experience in supporting clients with data and technology, risk management, disputes advisory, litigation consulting, investigation, and restructuring support is of high importance in India,” said Simon Michaels, Ankura’s Chairman of EMEA and APAC.
Much focus of the Indian team will be on Data & Technology capabilities including machine learning, artificial intelligence, and e-discovery. India is also home to a new dedicated Center of Excellence for Data and Technology which “delivers cutting-edge solutions for both Indian and global clients with a focus on innovation, advanced analytics, and cybersecurity,” said Jaju.
Since unveiling the expansion plans in December last year, Ankura has hired over 40 professionals across its practices. “We look forward to building our team in India and bringing our global expertise to bear in helping companies resolve and navigate some of their most pressing and complex issues,” concluded Lavin.
Globally, Ankura has more than 1,600 professionals in 35 offices. The firm is headquartered in Washington, DC.
Sourced from Consultancy.in