EY is to open its first dedicated forensic technology facility outside of London in response to growing demand from law firms for advanced data gathering capabilities, particularly from social media and mobile devices
The firm is investing £650,000 in the new lab, which will be based in EY’s Manchester office, and plans to hire an additional 50 forensic professionals over the next two years, to create a team of 150 which EY says will be the largest in the UK.
The facility is due to open in the autumn and will specialise in collecting, managing and analysing data for legal disputes and regulatory investigations across the UK, as well as supporting the firm’s fraud investigation and dispute services team.
Aside from traditional data collection, predominantly from laptops and computers, EY says it is seeing significant growth in demand for data collection from mobile phones, tablets and social media.
The lab will be headed up by Chris Marks, forensic technology and discovery services (FTDS) practice leader in the North West, who 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. Our new facility will meet the complex demands of clients nationwide, whilst benefitting from our Manchester office’s existing infrastructure.’
‘Alongside its national and international travel links, Manchester benefits from exceptional universities and a flourishing technology sector that creates a deep pool of entry-level and experienced talent. This will enable us to recruit and develop some of the best FTDS people in the country to support the expansion of a forensics centre for excellence in the North West,’ Marks said.
