Introduction
This month, the consulting and advisory sector remains dynamic, with a wave of senior appointments and strategic hires shaping the future of leading firms. From bolstering private equity and performance improvement capabilities to strengthening cybersecurity, financial services, and capital markets practices, these moves underscore the growing emphasis on expertise, innovation, and client impact. Our roundup highlights new partners, managing directors, and practice leaders across Europe, the US, and beyond, all of whom are driving transformation, value creation, and strategic growth in increasingly complex markets.
Key People Moves
Portage Point Partners has appointed Venkat Sreenivasan as Managing Director in its Performance Improvement Practice, based in Chicago. Sreenivasan brings over 25 years of experience in value creation and transformation. He specialises in EBITDA improvement, due diligence and operational excellence across the technology and information services sectors.
Prior to joining Portage Point, he was Managing Director at KPMG. He previously served as Partner at AlixPartners, advising private equity clients. Sreenivasan holds an MBA with Honours from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Lloyds Banking Group has announced the appointment of Danil Makarov as Payments Services Director within its Group Payments division.Makarov joins the bank following more than a decade at Kearney, where he most recently served as Partner. He brings extensive experience in consulting and payments transformation, having advised leading financial institutions through periods of innovation and change. At Lloyds, Makarov will contribute to the Group’s mission to help Britain prosper, supporting the continued evolution and value creation within its Payments function.
Alvarez & Marsal has welcomed Simon Oertel to its Private Equity Performance Improvement team in Munich. Oertel, Managing Director / Partner, will expand the firm’s Operational Due Diligence offering across the DACH region, supporting private equity clients throughout the transaction lifecycle.He brings broad international experience in pre-deal assessments, post-deal value creation, and exit support, primarily in manufacturing. His appointment strengthens Alvarez & Marsal’s legacy in delivering transformative results for private equity clients.
Oliver Wyman has strengthened its Anti-Financial Crime (AFC) practice with the appointments of Laurence Birnbaum-Sarcy as Partner and John Cusack as Global Senior Advisor. Birnbaum-Sarcy and Cusack bring extensive experience in AML, sanctions compliance, fraud investigations, and global financial crime prevention from leadership roles across banking, consulting, and industry coalitions. Their appointments reinforce Oliver Wyman’s commitment to helping clients navigate complex regulatory landscapes and enhance compliance programmes. The duo will also support the firm’s efforts to leverage innovation, collaboration, and technology in combating financial crime.
EY has strengthened its UK Financial Services Cyber and Resilience Practice with the appointments of Rahul Patel, Alok Panda, and Gaurav Tandon as Partners.
– Patel brings over 18 years of experience in cybersecurity architecture, Identity and Access Management (IAM), Privileged Access Management (PAM), and cloud security.
– Panda, with more than 20 years’ experience, specialises in large-scale transformations, cloud security, enterprise identity, and data security.
– Tandon, also with over 20 years’ experience, focuses on digital identity solutions, AI-driven security, and enterprise and consumer identity modernisation programmes.
Teneo has appointed Michael Wise as Senior Managing Director, specialising in capital markets advisory. Wise brings over three decades of experience from JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Bank of America.He advises companies on IPO readiness, capital structure optimisation, financing options, and market positioning. Wise has led landmark IPOs, multi-security financings, recapitalisations, and cross-border offerings across multiple sectors. He combines board-level strategic insight, technical expertise, and strong relationships with issuers, investors, and regulators. At Teneo, he will help grow the firm’s capital markets practice and support clients in complex transactions.
Analysys Mason has appointed Oliver Runkel as Partner in its Frankfurt office, strengthening its European Private Equity Practice.Runkel brings over 25 years of strategy and management consulting experience, having led more than 350 projects in growth, commercial due diligence, and value creation. He specialises in industrial technology and technology-enabled business services, including advanced manufacturing, automation, digital manufacturing, and IT-enabled solutions. Runkel will support clients across the full investment lifecycle, from pre-deal assessments to post-deal value creation and business transformation. His appointment enhances Analysys Mason’s capability to deliver strategic, operational, and digital solutions for private equity and corporate clients.
Ankura has welcomed Tarne Lane as Senior Director in its Turnaround and Restructuring team. Lane brings extensive experience advising mid-market and multinational businesses across the UK, MENA, and APAC. He specialises in restructuring, M&A, cross-border transactions, and performance improvement, working closely with C-suite executives, investors, and lenders. His appointment strengthens Ankura’s capability to deliver complex deals and value-enhancing solutions for clients globally.
Altman Solon has appointed Matthew Walters as Associate Partner in its London office. Walters brings over 15 years of experience in media and sports, specialising in growth strategy, proposition design, go-to-market strategy, commercial due diligence, and value creation. He previously held senior roles at EY-Parthenon, Decipher, Oliver & Ohlbaum Associates, and began his career at Ofcom. Walters will strengthen Altman Solon’s expertise in media and sports, supporting clients with growth, transformation, and strategic challenges in the TMT sector.
FTI Consulting has appointed Malvinder Singh as Senior Managing Director & Partner, specialising in technology and operations transformation. Singh brings expertise in SaaS ecosystems, digital operating models, IT carve-outs, post-acquisition integration, ERP/CRM implementations, and cost optimisation. Based in London with international experience, he is an ACC-certified coach and works with executives across all levels.
West Monroe has appointed Joseph Jogmen to lead its growing ServiceNow capabilities. Jogmen, a certified ServiceNow Master Architect one of only 120 in the U.S. brings nearly 30 years of IT and consulting experience. He has extensive experience in systems design, development, implementation, and managing IT infrastructure teams. At West Monroe, Jogmen will help clients modernise service delivery and strengthen the firm’s ServiceNow practice.
Teneo has appointed Athul Ravunniarath as Managing Director in its Management Consulting business, based in Boston. Ravunniarath will lead Commercial Diligence for Teneo’s global Private Equity Growth practice. He brings deep experience advising investors in software and IT services, with expertise across private equity, venture capital, and growth strategy. Ravunniarath has regional experience in North America, Latin America, and India, and holds a degree in international finance from The Fletcher School at Tufts University. His appointment strengthens Teneo’s capability to support clients across the deal lifecycle.
Key People Moves
Interpath has launched its Restructuring practice in the German market, expanding its presence across Düsseldorf, Munich, Frankfurt, Berlin, and Vienna. The practice is led by Nils Kuhlwein, who joins from Kearney, where he was Partner in Transformation Services. He previously held roles at McKinsey & Company, Roland Berger, and KPMG, and brings 30 years of experience in high-profile European restructuring projects. Supporting Kuhlwein is Ralph Kudla, Managing Director, who joined Interpath through the Kerkhoff acquisition. The launch marks the introduction of one of Interpath’s core services to Germany, building on its entry into the DACH market earlier in 2025. Since its founding in 2021 following the carve-out of KPMG’s UK Restructuring business, Interpath has expanded into M&A, debt advisory, forensics, and other financial advisory areas. Neil Siri, Head of Interpath in the DACH region, highlighted the firm’s long heritage in restructuring and commitment to building a market-leading team in Germany.