RSM beefs up cyber and risk consulting unit with team hire

Source: Consultancy 2020-07-07

RSM has beefed up its cyber and risk consulting capabilities with the hire of a team of experts led by Pippa Hobson.

Pippa Hobson was previously a partner and senior figure at rival mid-tier accounting and consulting firm BDO, where she was chairman of the firm’s Western Australian region. However, after BDO decided to shut its local cyber and risk unit in Western Australia following a strategic reorientation process, Hobson and her team were asked to leave the business.

The move came partly as a surprise, in light of booming demand for cybersecurity and risk consultancy services. One report, ironically by BDO itself, recently described cybersecurity as “more important than ever”, against the backdrop of a growing threats landscape, rising interconnectivity in IT systems and applications, and cyber criminals that are maturing the sophistication of their attacks.

RSM was quick on its feet to capitalise on the opportunity, and has now taken on board Hobson – appointed a partner – and three of her team members. According to Con Paoliello, Managing Partner of RSM’s Perth office, the new recruits are a great addition to the firm’s existing risk consulting and security and privacy capabilities.

With around 430 accountants, consultants and staff, RSM is Western Australia's fifth largest professional services firm with an accounting heritage, while BDO ranks number six, with a headcount of around 250. Across Australia, RSM has around 1,150 staff working from some 30 offices.

Commenting on the move, Hobson said: “As the number and sophistication of cyber attacks increase, organisations need to improve their overall cyber resilience in order to respond to and recover from these incidents.”

Demonstrating its own commitment to cybersecurity, RSM earlier this year achieved the ISO 27001 certification.

In related news, another mid-tier player McGrathNicol recently released its view on the top trends in the cyber and forensics landscape.

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RSM beefs up cyber and risk consulting unit with team hire

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