Alvarez & Marsal appoints new India head to lead cybersecurity and risk management

Global professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) announced on Tuesday the appointment of Chandra Prakash Suryawanshi to head the company’s global cyber-risk services in India.

With over 25 years of experience in cybersecurity and risk management, Suryawanshi has taken on the role of managing director of disputes and investigations practice to offer his expertise in the areas of cyber-strategy, risk assessments, data protection, and incident response.

Suryawanshi has led large-scale cyber-transformation programs and advised financial services, life sciences, technology, media, and telecommunications clients across the US, UK, Germany, the Middle East, and India.

Before joining A&M, he was a Partner and National Co-Leader for the Cyber Defence and Incident Response Practice at KPMG in India. Suryawanshi holds an Executive MBA from Manipal Institute of Management and an ADP certification from the Wharton Business School.

Jerry Dent, Managing Director and Global Practice Leader of Alvarez & Marsal Disputes and Investigations, said, “Cybersecurity continues to be a top concern for businesses worldwide. Chandra’s appointment enhances A&M’s ability to provide clients with proactive risk management strategies and operational resilience, aligning with our firm’s results-driven approach, ensuring that clients receive pragmatic, tailored solutions to their most pressing security challenges.”

In a LinkedIn post, Suryawanshi calls his new appointment as the “next chapter in his professional journey”. He said, “The acceleration of digital transformation in India has placed cybersecurity at the forefront of business priorities. Organisations are increasingly seeking comprehensive risk management strategies to protect against evolving threats. A&M’s strong operational expertise and client-centric approach provide an ideal platform to help businesses strengthen their security frameworks and controls. I am excited to join A&M and contribute to strengthening cybersecurity resilience for businesses in India.”

The company is looking to place big bets on India with plans to treble the size of its senior team in the country threefold in the next 2-3 years, senior executives of the firm told Moneycontrol in an article in July last year. The company has a team of over 1,000 professionals in more than 40 offices worldwide, who advise clients on cross-border deals, including M&A, IPOs, and financial due diligence.