Global consulting firm Alvarez & Marshal (A&M) has launched a new regional business unit aligning its Southeast Asian and Australia practices (SEAA), which will be headed by Southeast Asian boss Utsav Garg, who joined the firm from Kearney at the beginning of the year.
The consultancy stated that the move reflects its commitment to and investment in expanding its footprint across the APAC region in response to growing market demand.
A&M’s co-founder Bryan Marsal said the firm had seen increased demand from both private equity and corporates in the region. “Our SEAA business unit is the strategic extension of our presence across North Asia and India and will be critical to our growth in this expanding market. Utsav and his team will provide the unique blend of industry operator expertise and the bias towards action that A&M is known for around the world.”
The move will bring together A&M’s Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia offices with Australia, where it currently has a presence in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth, and lay the groundwork for an intended future outlet in Vietnam. The new unit will provide a range of offerings across the consultancy spectrum, including in its noted strong suits – disputes & investigations, corporate transformation, and restructuring & turnaround.
Appointed at the beginning of the year, Garg brings more than two decades of experience in large-scale transformations to his new role, having previously served as Managing Partner for Kearney's Southeast Asia business across four countries including Thailand. He first joined the management consultancy in 2007 after a global brand leadership stint at Unilever, before ascending to the head Southeast Asian role in 2019.
A&M’s Head of APAC and Emerging Markets, Luis de Lucio, said that Southeast Asia and Australia were key markets for the firm. “Utsav’s proven track-record of delivering results dovetails with our operational heritage and driving change mindset. Alongside our investment to scale up A&M’s APAC presence, Utsav’s in-depth market knowledge will bolster our integrated approach and offering across the region.”
According to a press release, Garg, who is based out of Singapore, will in addition to building and leading the new SEAA business unit continue to advise regional and international clients on sustained growth and profitability improvement across a range of industries, including the consumer goods and retail, telecommunications, information and communications technology, healthcare, and logistics sectors.
“Our SEAA business unit represents a new and exciting growth chapter for the firm” Garg stated. “A&M’s global capabilities, legacy of operational excellence and commitment to maximising value will help regional clients navigate challenges and seize opportunities. The firm’s history of solving complex problems facing corporates, boards, private equity firms and government agencies furthers our ability to create value across the chain.”