Chris Price and Rob Barker join A&M as managing director
Alvarez & Marsal has announced the appointment of Chris Price as EMEA head of its legal services business. Rob Barker has also arrived as the firm’s new EMEA head of insurance, wealth and asset management.
Chris Price joins Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) having recently served as EY’s managing partner for financial services law in the UK. That branch of the Big Four firm led its legal transformation and legal co-sourcing practice globally. Prior to that, Price also led EY’s acquisition of Riverview Law and served as Riverview’s CEO during its integration into EY.
Price’s hire follows A&M’s recent launch of A&M Legal Services (AMLS) – and reinforces the firm’s commitment to provide comprehensive management and support services to law firms worldwide. The AMLS wing of the business offers an integrated approach that includes streamlining operations, strategic growth advice and assistance in raising funds to finance growth acquisitions, particularly needed by middle market law firms.
Peter Sacripanti, the global head of AMLS, stated, “Chris’ appointment represents AMLS’ accelerated talent growth strategy in response to market demand. As law firms, particularly those in the middle market, grapple with competition for talent and capital-intensive technology requirements, Chris’ joining furthers our ability to help clients enhance their services and lower their costs.”
Price’s selection aligns with AMLS’ mission to provide the sector, functional and operational expertise required to help law firms meet growth and profitability challenges. According to a release from the consultancy, he will now advise AMLS clients on operational approaches and capital investments that solve for their talent and technology gaps – and help law firms achieve improved client service whilst driving greater efficiency and cost effectiveness by addressing their operating model concerns.
Price added, “A&M’s operational orientation and results-driven mindset dovetail with my approach. The firm’s integrated platform and storied history of maximising value provide a solutions pathway for law firms seeking to modernise and optimise their client service delivery and their operating costs against the backdrop of a fast moving but often confusing technology environment with intensifying competition for talent.”
Rob Barker meanwhile brings 30 years of experience in financial services in the UK, Europe and Africa to A&M. He will oversee the firm’s provision of specialist advice and practical support to executive clients facing a need for value-creation, transformation and results. Based in London, he works alongside A&M’s team of senior practitioners across EMEA supporting insurance, asset and wealth management clients.
David Edmonds, Managing Director and Global FSI Co-Lead, said, “This is the latest step in A&M’s FSI success story, designed to help meet clients’ demand for integrated insights across the firm’s network. Our expertise spans everything from digital transformation and revenue enhancement to elevating customer experiences; from risk management and navigating regulatory landscapes to performance improvement and delivering comprehensive end-to-end M&A services. Traditional competitors just cannot offer such interconnectivity, or such a range of in-house capabilities and sector expertise. It’s what makes A&M unique, so we’re doubling down on our investment. We are committed to helping our insurance, wealth and asset management clients unlock value – and Rob’s leadership is critical to this mission.”
Prior to joining A&M, Barker led Aviva’s wealth, pensions, savings and advice businesses as the regulated CEO. He was also the regulated chair of the Aviva Health insurance business. Previously, he led the Aviva Life Protection businesses and Health Insurance business as the regulated CEO, and before that led Aviva’s UK-wide distribution and propositions wing. Barker was also previously a senior adviser with A&M, and has served in senior roles across its life and pensions, general insurance, health insurance and wealth.
Barker added, “A&M’s experts aren’t just advisers; our team are seasoned professionals who bring together decades’ worth of experience tackling some of the most intricate cases and walking in the client's shoes. Taking a genuine ‘skin in the game’ approach – linked to our clients' success – we’re not afraid to take a turnaround mindset. We ask the tough questions so that executives can focus on catalysing growth, profitability and creating material commercial value. There’s a real ambition in the team as it continues to grow across EMEA, and I’m keen to help channel that energy.”
