Crowe bolsters Consulting practice with new partner hire
Crowe has announced Bhavin Bharakda as the latest partner appointment to its award-winning Consulting practice. Bhavin will lead the firm’s Financial Services Internal Audit offering, delivering high-quality assurance services across Insurance, Banking, and Wealth and Asset Management.
The financial services specialist joins Crowe from another leading accounting firm, having previously worked within a Big Four Banking and Capital Markets Internal Audit practice and at Citigroup in its Corporate Functions Internal Audit team, where he delivered local and international audits.
With a strong track record in shaping internal audit strategy, operating model design and delivery, Bhavin’s arrival will further develop the firm’s specialist proposition, expanding its capabilities in outsourced and co-sourced internal audit, External Quality Assessment (EQA) reviews, and internal audit methodology and professional practices support.
Among the key responsibilities in his new role, Bhavin’s focus will be on building a scalable, regulatory-ready internal audit platform that supports clients through growth, transformation and heightened supervisory expectations.
Bhavin brings extensive experience in advising a variety of clients, including global banks, FTSE-listed wealth managers, private equity portfolio companies, insurers and family investment offices, supporting them in strengthening governance, enhancing control frameworks and delivering robust, independent assurance.
As financial services firms continue to navigate a rapidly evolving landscape shaped by regulatory reform, the importance of being able to rely on a forward-looking, well-positioned internal audit function has never been higher.
Bhavin Bharakda, Partner, says:
“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, says:
"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."
Nigel Bostock, Chief Executive, says:
“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.”
