Crowe appoints new financial services internal audit lead

Crowe has announced Bhavin Bharakda as a new partner in its consulting practice, who will additionally lead its financial services and internal audit offering.

Bharakda’s primary responsibilities will include constructing a scalable, regulatory-ready internal audit platform that supports clients through growth, transformation and heightened supervisory expectations.

With a “strong track record in shaping internal audit strategy, operating model design and delivery”, he will strengthen the firm’s specialist proposition, evolving its capabilities in outsourced and co-sourced internal audit, External Quality Assessment (EQA) reviews and support for internal audit methodology and professional practices.

Bharakda steps into the role from another accounting firm and has formerly worked within a Big Four banking and capital markets internal audit practice.

He has additionally been on the corporate functions internal audit team at Citigroup, where he carried out local and in international audits.

His track record includes advising diverse clientele, such global banks, FTSE-listed wealth managers, private equity portfolio companies, insurers and family investment offices, who he has helped reinforce governance, improve control frameworks and deliver solid and independent assurance.

Commenting on his appointment, Bharakda said: “I am delighted to join the partnership and to lead the Financial Services Internal Audit proposition at Crowe, contributing to the firm’s continued growth at both regional and national levels.

“I look forward to driving strategic development, strengthening collaboration across our teams, and delivering a high-quality, value-driven service that consistently meets the evolving needs of our clients.”

Justin Elks, head of consulting, added: “I am excited to welcome 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 a great asset to Crowe as we continue to grow our practice and add practical value to our financial services clients.”

Crowe chief executive Nigel Bostock added: “It gives me great pleasure to welcome Bhavin to Crowe, as the business continues to strengthen and grow. Bhavin’s deep expertise will help our clients in the financial services sector as they grapple with sustained regulatory and public scrutiny alongside increasing digitisation, operational resilience requirements and the accelerating use of AI.

“Firms must continually reassess the design and effectiveness of their control environments. As a result, internal audit is playing an increasingly strategic role, with executive teams looking beyond traditional compliance assurance, seeking insight that strengthens governance, enhances risk management maturity and supports long-term resilience.”