Introduction
January saw significant leadership activity across professional services, with firms making strategic appointments and promotions to strengthen practices in turnaround and restructuring, cybersecurity, tax, deal advisory, and digital transformation. Market activity highlights the sector’s focus on operational excellence and innovation, with senior hires and newly promoted partners bringing deep expertise in private equity, real estate, technology, and financial services. These moves demonstrate a continued commitment to talent development, sector-specific knowledge, and delivering value-driven solutions to clients in a rapidly evolving business environment.
Key People Moves
Arrow Team have appointed Conor Osthoff as Director of Incident Response. Osthoff joins from S-RM, where he was Head of Incident Response, Americas, and brings over a decade of experience in digital forensics, incident response, and cyber risk management across organisations including Arete, Marriott International, and Federated Investors.
West Monroe have welcomed Neil Jain as Senior Partner, returning to serve software PE and M&A clients; Chris Kurinsky as Managing Director in the Insurance practice, with nearly 30 years of experience including at Liberty Mutual; and Gennady Movsik to lead Cloud, Infrastructure, Cyber and Tech Strategy, bringing over 25 years of experience in enterprise technology transformation.
DigitalNet.ai have appointed Vineet Love as Vice President & Deputy Head of Cybersecurity Practice (North America). Love joins from Accenture, where he was National Leader of Security Risk and Architecture, and brings 19 years of experience advising boards and C-suites on cyber risk, enterprise security, and emerging technologies. He has previously held leadership roles at Mazars, BDO, KPMG, and IBM, building and scaling cybersecurity programs, managing enterprise security operations, and integrating emerging technologies to support business strategy.
KPMG in Germany have appointed Dr. Markus Trost as Partner in their Deal Advisory practice. Trost will lead Building Transformation Advisory within Corporate Finance – Real Estate & Infrastructure, advising clients on strategic real estate transformation. He brings extensive experience in urban development, strategic property transformation, asset repositioning, and mixed-use and district developments, combining architectural and real estate economics expertise.
Grant Thornton in Germany have appointed Dr. Predrag Maksimovic, Christian Möser, and Dr. Martin Weiss as partners.
– Maksimovic, joins the Corporate M&A Service Line from Düsseldorf, bringing 20 years of experience advising financial and strategic investors across sectors including banking, leasing, and fintech.
– Möser, joins the Indirect Tax Service Line from Berlin, with 20 years’ experience in tax law and a focus on VAT and insurance tax.
– Weiss, will lead the Tax Policy team from Munich, bringing 16 years of experience in international and corporate tax, including expertise in transformation tax law.
Deloitte have appointed Ron Doyle as Partner in Tax & Legal, effective January 2026. Doyle joins from PwC Ireland, where he was International Tax Director, and brings nearly 20 years’ experience advising on complex cross-border tax matters in aviation finance and financial services.
Alvarez & Marsal have appointed Geoff Hayes as Managing Director in their Global Transaction Advisory Group, based in Toronto, where he will lead the Energy & Infrastructure industry group in Canada. Hayes brings more than 25 years of industry and advisory experience across energy, infrastructure, and natural resources, supporting private equity, pension fund, and corporate clients on complex transactions. His appointment strengthens Alvarez & Marsal’s industry-led transaction advisory platform and reflects continued investment in the energy and infrastructure deal space across Canada and North America.
West Monroe has strengthened its senior leadership with multiple strategic appointments.
– Neil Jain rejoins as Senior Partner, focusing on software private equity and M&A clients, enhancing the firm’s ability to support investors and operators throughout the deal lifecycle.
– Chris Kurinsky joins as Managing Director in the Insurance practice, bringing nearly 30 years of industry experience, including at Liberty Mutual, and will focus on implementing technology and data solutions to improve P&L management and drive financial value.
– Gennady Movsik will lead the Cloud, Infrastructure, Cyber, and Technology Strategy team, leveraging over 25 years of global experience in enterprise technology transformation, M&A integrations, and aligning technology initiatives with business objectives.
These appointments reinforce West Monroe’s industry-led approach, expanding its capabilities in software, insurance, and enterprise technology transformation while supporting clients across complex deals and strategic initiatives.
People Promotions
AlixPartners have appointed Steve Metcalf and Richard Harrison as partners in their London office.
– Metcalf, with 14 years at the firm, will lead the Marketing and Business Intelligence team globally, bringing experience in operational turnaround and senior industry roles.
– Harrison, who joined AlixPartners four years ago from EY where he spent 20 years, becomes Partner and Managing Director in the Turnaround and Restructuring team.
EY have promoted Dr. Nevada Melan to Partner in Controversy & Transfer Pricing in Law, effective January 2026. Melan previously served as Director and Syndikusrechtsanwalt at EY, bringing over a decade of experience in tax law and dispute resolution across public finance and private practice.
Alvarez & Marsal have promoted Adam Crane to Managing Director in their Global Transaction Advisory Group in Los Angeles. Crane brings over 16 years of experience in accounting and advisory, specialising in buy- and sell-side due diligence, EBITDA analysis, and complex carve-outs, primarily serving private equity and strategic clients in the software and technology sector.
RSM Ebner Stolz has appointed twelve new partners across its Germany offices, marking a continued successful generational transition. The newly promoted partners include Silke Ammenwerth, Jan Christopher Bödecker, Steffen Daldrup, Niklas Färber, Christian Heilmann, Alexander Irkes, Sascha Meloh, Markus Mock, Sebastian Mario Müller, Olaf Sackewitz, Stefan Thilo, and Teresa Maria Urban.
– Silke Ammenwerth: Silke is a Wirtschaftsprüferin and Steuerberaterin with extensive experience advising public and non-profit organizations. She has been with Ebner Stolz since 2015 and now joins the partnership to further strengthen audit and consulting services.
– Jan Christopher Bödecker: Jan Christopher has a long-standing background in auditing and tax advisory, particularly for public-sector clients. He has contributed to webinars and thought leadership, and now assumes partner responsibilities.
– Steffen Daldrup: Steffen specializes in tax advisory, structuring, and supporting family businesses and private clients. He joined RSM Ebner Stolz in 2022 and has advanced to partner to lead complex tax engagements.
– Niklas Färber: Niklas focuses on international tax law and transfer pricing, advising clients on cross-border transactions. His promotion recognizes his expertise and contributions to the firm’s global tax advisory practice.
– Christian Heilmann: Christian serves as Principal at RSM Ebner Stolz Management Consultants, advising on restructuring and transformation projects. His partner role strengthens the firm’s consulting and advisory capabilities in Hamburg.
– Alexander Irkes: Alexander is a VAT and tax compliance expert, also active as a lecturer. His promotion to partner highlights his leadership in German and international VAT advisory services.
– Sascha Meloh: Sascha advises mid-sized companies and financial investors on M&A, venture capital, and corporate structuring. He previously served as Counsel and now becomes partner to expand transactional and corporate advisory services.
– Markus Mock: Markus is an experienced Wirtschaftsprüfer focusing on public and energy sectors, financial reporting, and infrastructure. He has advanced from director roles to partner, leading the firm’s competence in energy and utilities.
– Sebastian Mario Müller: Sebastian specializes in restructuring and insolvency-adjacent advisory, supporting clients through complex corporate transformations. He has been Principal since 2023 and now joins the partnership to drive consulting excellence in Frankfurt.
– Olaf Sackewitz: Olaf brings experience in audit and advisory for corporate clients, enhancing the firm’s assurance capabilities. His partnership strengthens RSM Ebner Stolz’s overall leadership and service quality.
– Stefan Thilo: Stefan is a lawyer with a strong focus on corporate law, M&A, and transaction-related labor law. He has supported clients through complex restructurings and now joins the partnership to expand legal advisory services.
– Teresa Maria Urban: Teresa is an expert in VAT and tax advisory, also active as a lecturer and consultant. She advances from director to partner to lead and strengthen the firm’s tax practice in Karlsruhe.