Stroz Friedberg Acquires Billiter, Expands Global Footprint

NEW YORK, April 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Stroz Friedberg, a global digital risk management and investigations firm, announced it has acquired Billiter, a leading compliance, due diligence and investigations company with operations in London and Hong Kong.

The transaction significantly enhances Stroz Friedberg's presence in the United Kingdom and expands the company's global reach into the Asian market. Billiter's expertise in tailored business intelligence research and compliance due diligence reporting augments Stroz Friedberg's existing capabilities related to traditional corporate investigations and business intelligence. Billiter's client base of Fortune 500 and FTSE 100 companies and private financial entities gains immediate access to the combined firm's broad digital risk management and investigative services. Billiter will operate and continue to serve its clients under the Stroz Friedberg brand.

As a result of the combination, Stroz Friedberg establishes a presence in Hong Kong, offering its full suite of services—including  business intelligence and investigations, digital forensics, data breach and cybercrime response, electronic discovery, and security risk consulting—throughout Asia. Billiter co-founder Ian Barclay was named Managing Director of Stroz Friedberg and will lead the Hong Kong office.

"Moving into the Asia Pacific market is a boon for our global operations. Cross-continent collaboration enables us to provide international clients with our unparalleled service and time-sensitive solutions," said Seth Berman, Executive Managing Director and head of Stroz Friedberg's European and Asian operations. "Our Hong Kong office will play a significant role on wide-ranging assignments in markets such as China, Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea."

By acquiring Billiter, Stroz Friedberg increases its London headcount by 30%, making that office its second largest location globally. Michael Boag, head of Billiter's London practice, was named Managing Director of Stroz Friedberg in London.

"We're pleased to gain the capacity to serve more clients around the world, as businesses face increased complexity and risk associated with globalization," said Ed Stroz, Co-President, Stroz Friedberg. "Also, joining forces with Billiter bolsters our ability to provide best-in-class business intelligence services to all of our clients in a scalable way to ensure that results are delivered accurately and swiftly. It is a two-fold gain."

Stroz Friedberg's Business Intelligence and Investigations division helps clients make informed decisions to mitigate risk and protect corporate reputations. Critical to this is the ability to analyze and investigate issues with research and reporting that is cost effective and customized to each client's distinct circumstances. The expertise and global reach gained by joining with Billiter supplements Stroz Friedberg's existing capabilities to better assist its clients around the world with their investigative needs.

"We have worked very closely with Stroz Friedberg on a large number of investigations worldwide for many years, and this is a great fit for both companies' clients across all industries," said Ian Barclay. "Together, we bring to the market a unique end-to-end due diligence and investigations service offering, seamlessly integrated with Stroz Friedberg's industry-leading digital forensics, incident response, and electronic discovery talent and technology. To have this depth and level of expertise in one firm is a key differentiator in our sector and a clear advantage for our clients."

Ian Barclay is a trusted advisor to in-house counsel and compliance professionals across a number of sectors and geographies, actively advising clients on their compliance due diligence needs for over 10 years. Based in Hong Kong, he previously worked at a leading business intelligence firm before founding Billiter.

Michael Boag is an expert in regulatory compliance investigations with extensive experience in leading complex investigations involving fraud and corruption issues throughout the world. Prior to joining Billiter, he worked at an aerospace consultancy and a London-based risk management group where he was the lead researcher for French-speaking jurisdictions covering a number of developed and African emerging markets.

About Stroz Friedberg, LLC

Stroz Friedberg is a leading global risk consulting and investigations company specializing in business intelligence and investigations, compliance, forensic accounting, digital forensics, incidence response, security, and electronic discovery. The company provides strategic and technical expertise to help organizations manage the inherent risks and responsibilities of doing business in a digital era. Learn more about the firm's capabilities and experience at www.strozfriedberg.com.

Contact:

Stroz Friedberg
Karen Guterl
[email protected] 
212-542-3167

Weber Shandwick
Steve Bosk
[email protected] 
212-445-8491

SOURCE Stroz Friedberg