Crowe appoints Bhavin Bharakda as partner

Crowe has appointed Bhavin Bharakda as partner to head its financial services internal audit practice, focusing on insurance, banking, and wealth and asset management.

Bharakda joins the firm from a senior role at another accounting firm, following previous experience within a Big Four banking practice and Citigroup’s corporate functions internal audit team. 

His remit includes expanding Crowe’s capabilities in outsourced and co-sourced internal audit, external quality assessment (EQA) reviews, and the development of internal audit methodologies. 

In his new role, Bharakda is tasked with building a scalable platform to assist clients with regulatory expectations and digital transformation.

The appointment follows increased supervisory scrutiny and the rise of operational resilience requirements across the financial sector. 

Bharakda’s expertise in governance and control frameworks will be utilised to support FTSE-listed wealth managers, private equity portfolio companies, and insurers. 

The firm stated that the role is strategic, moving beyond traditional compliance to address risks associated with artificial intelligence and increased digitisation.

Crowe’s consulting practice is focusing on providing tailored assurance services as the market for internal audit becomes more automated and transactional. Bharakda will lead the proposition at both regional and national levels, coordinating with the firm’s broader consulting and risk management teams.

Bharakda said: “I am joining the partnership to lead the financial services internal audit proposition at Crowe, contributing to the firm’s growth at both regional and national levels. I look forward to driving strategic development, strengthening collaboration across our teams, and delivering a service that meets the evolving needs of our clients.”

Justin Elks, head of consulting at Crowe, added: “I am welcoming Bhavin to our team. Bhavin brings a focus on quality and personal-tailored service in a financial services internal audit market that seems increasingly transactional. He will be an asset to Crowe as we continue to grow our practice and add value to our financial services clients.”

Nigel Bostock, chief executive of Crowe, concluded: “I welcome Bhavin to Crowe as the business continues to grow. Bhavin’s expertise will help our clients in the financial services sector as they grapple with regulatory scrutiny alongside increasing digitisation and the use of AI. Internal audit is playing an increasingly strategic role, with teams seeking insight that strengthens governance and enhances risk management maturity.”