Experienced banker Brad O'Brien joins Baringa as partner in the US
Baringa Partners have appointed a new Partner for their US wing. Former Accenture consultant Brad O’Brien will be responsible for growing the firm’s IT and data consulting services for banking clients in the region.
A year ago, British consulting firm Baringa made the journey across the Atlantic to establish a permanent presence in New York. The decision to relocate to the world’s financial capital led the firm to hire a number of experienced US professionals, including former EY and JP Morgan Chase staffer Alexandra Kruse, who became a Manager at the firm, along with the relocation from the UK of James Nicholls, arriving as Partner and North American Lead, along with Senior Manager Beth Elliot.
Now, as the firm aims to accelerate the growth of its office, Baringa has appointed a new Partner in New York. The consultancy has hired Brad O’Brien to be responsible for growing Baringa’s IT and data consulting services for banking and capital markets clients in America.
O’Brien’s skillset includes IT architecture, large-scale programme delivery and cost take out – services that Baringa will hope to take advantage of following surges in client demand in those areas. Baringa Partners had already worked with a number of clients in the US before opening its New York office in 2016, and continues to pursue an ambitious growth strategy in the region. The firm’s focus is to support both international and domestic financial services companies by offering the full range of Baringa capabilities, with a particular focus on risk and compliance and process transformation services.
Having begun his industrial journey as a consultant at Accenture in 1995, O’Brien spent nine years of his 22-year career at UBS in various technology roles, as well as almost five years at Citigroup. Joining FinTech consultancy Hatstand in 2011, O’Brien latterly became the Global Chief Executive of the firm, and most recently guided the group through its successful acquisition by technology and management consultancy Synechron – remaining in the capacity for a further year before leaving for the new challenge at Baringa.
Baringa’s North America lead James Nicholls, also formerly of Accenture, commented, “We’re delighted Brad is joining the team at such an exciting time for the business, both in the US and globally. Since opening our New York office just over a year ago, our rapidly growing team has attracted some of the industry’s top consultants, and we are helping leading financial services firms tackle some of their biggest challenges. These range from assessing the impact of the Fundamental Review of the Trading Book (FRTB) market risk capital rules, to launching a new cash clearing capability, and shaping and delivering a $100 million cost saving program.”
The hiring follows the recent promotion of long-serving employee Ben Reid, who first arrived at Baringa in 2010 as a Senior Consultant. Having risen through the ranks in the firm’s London practice, Reid has now been confirmed as a Director at Baringa Partners' US office in New York City.
Another UK consulting firm that headed for the $58 billion American consulting market, Egremont, has meanwhile experienced explosive growth – illustrating why companies make the potentially risky crossing.
