The global firm Ashurst announced the expansion of its non-legal risk consulting and managed services offering, with a new Risk Advisory branch in Singapore and the growth of Ashurst Advance’s service offering in Asia.
The entry of Ashurst Risk Advisory into Asia reflects the firm’s commitment to continuing to invest in its ability to provide comprehensive legal, risk advisory, and managed services, providing clients in the region with enhanced capabilities in legal operations, technology enablement, and process optimization.
The new Asia branch of Risk Advisory will be led by John Knox and Rishi Balakhan, based in Singapore, strengthening Ashurst’s ability to support its clients with practical, multidisciplinary risk advisory solutions that complement the firm’s legal services. These additions reflect Ashurst’s commitment to helping clients navigate complex regulatory environments, transformation initiatives, operational resilience, and governance requirements across Asia.
Jamie Ng, Global Clients & Markets Partner and Global Head of Ashurst Risk Advisory, commented that “expanding our Risk Advisory capabilities into Asia is an important step in our global strategy. Clients value practical, coordinated advice that combines legal and non-legal perspectives. Our team in Asia will work closely with our lawyers, risk consultants, and NewLaw specialists to help clients assess, manage, and respond to transformation and risk with clarity and confidence.”
Hilary Goodier, Global Head of Ashurst Advance, said she was “thrilled to welcome John, Rishi, and their team. Their combined experience and expertise sit at the intersection of Ashurst Advance and Risk Advisory, enabling us to offer our clients greater depth of expertise and expand our current capabilities. Our Ashurst Advance offering in Asia already supports both internal teams and Ashurst lawyers in delivering efficient, data-driven, managed services that are aligned with client priorities. We are excited to further deepen our market-leading collaborative solutions for legal department transformation.”
Jini Lee, Asia Regional Head, added that “expanding our offering in Asia reflects the firm’s long-term ambition and commitment to the region. By launching Risk Advisory in Singapore and expanding our existing Ashurst Advance offering in Asia, we are strengthening our support for clients facing ever-evolving regulatory, operational, and cross-border challenges. These developments strengthen our ability to deliver integrated solutions in key Asian markets.”
More from John Knox
John has over 25 years of consulting experience in the legal and managed services sector, having helped some of the world’s largest companies with legal department transformation initiatives. His expertise includes advising on talent strategies, process and workflow improvement, sourcing, compliance, technology, and managed services. Rishi also provides strategic consulting advice to legal departments, with a focus on legal transformation and managed services.
Ashurst Risk Advisory was established in 2020 and has become one of the fastest-growing parts of the business globally, with a presence in Australia, the UK, the Middle East, and now Asia.
The launch in Asia builds on Ashurst’s broader global expansion of integrated legal services, risk consulting, and NewLaw services. The firm’s combined model is designed to provide clients with coordinated support in cyber risk preparedness and risk management; governance, risk, and compliance; regulatory change; litigation and investigations; and transformation initiatives (including technology and AI) that improve efficiency and resilience.
Ashurst Risk Advisory’s Asia team will work closely with the firm’s lawyers across different practice areas and jurisdictions, leveraging sector expertise and regional knowledge to deliver practical, implementation-focused advice. Ashurst Advance offers managed services, digital and AI-enabled delivery, process and data solutions, and resource models that support clients’ day-to-day operations and strategic initiatives in the region.
