EY to hire 50 for new forensic team

ACCOUNTANCY group EY is to invest £650,000 in a “forensic technology lab” at its Manchester office.

It will be the firm’s first forensic department outside London and is expected to take on 50 staff over the next two years.

The facility will open in the autumn and specialise in managing and analysing data for legal disputes and regulatory investigations. It will also support the firm’s Fraud Investigation and Dispute Services team.

EY wants to tap into the £25.6bn legal services market and says 40% of all global disputes are being settled under English law.

Simon Allport, EY’s Manchester office senior partner, said: “This new lab highlights our continued commitment to Manchester as a business destination and investing to grow our North West practice over the coming years, as well as a significant step for our high growth Forensic Technology and Discovery Services practice.

“Alongside its national and international travel links, the city benefits from exceptional universities and a flourishing technology sector that create a deep pool of entry-level and experienced talent. It will enable us to recruit and develop some of the best forensic technology and eDiscovery professionals in the country to support the expansion of a national forensics centre for excellence here in the North West.”

The lab will be headed by Chris Marks, EY’s FTDS practice leader in the North West. He said: “A growing need for robust legal evidence across a broader range of data sources – fuelled by technological advancement – has led to increased appetite for specialist IT forensic capabilities. Aside from traditional data collection, predominately from laptops and computers, we are seeing significant growth in demand for data collection from mobile phones, tablets and social media. This new facility will enable us to effectively service the changing needs of our regional and UK clients.”