EY to open £650k forensic technology hub in Manchester creating 50 jobs

EY has announced plans to invest £650k in a new forensic technology facility at its 100 Barbirolli Square offices in Manchester.

The firm will hire an additional 50 professionals into its Forensic Technology and Discovery Services practice (FTDS) over the next two years to support the North West lab, which will be EY’s first dedicated forensics facility outside of London.

Scheduled to open in the autumn, the lab will initially specialise in eDiscovery, which involves collecting, managing and analysing data for legal disputes and regulatory investigations, for clients across the UK. It will also support the firm’s Fraud Investigation and Dispute Services team.

According to the Law Society, the UK legal services market is worth £25.6 billion. With 40% of all global disputes being settled under English Law, the facility will support the collection of electronic evidence that underpins many of these cases.

Simon Allport, EY’s Manchester Office senior partner, said: “This new lab highlights our continued commitment to Manchester as a business destination and investing to grow our North West practice over the coming years, as well as a significant step for our high growth Forensic Technology and Discovery Services practice.

“Alongside its national and international travel links, the city benefits from exceptional universities and a flourishing technology sector that create a deep pool of entry-level and experienced talent.

“It will enable us to recruit and develop some of the best forensic technology and eDiscovery professionals in the country to support the expansion of a national forensics centre for excellence here in the North West.”

The lab will be headed by Chris Marks, EY’s FTDS practice leader in the North West. He commented: “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.

“Aside from traditional data collection, predominately from laptops and computers, we are seeing significant growth in demand for data collection from mobile phones, tablets and social media.

“This new facility will enable us to effectively service the changing needs of our regional and UK clients, as well as plan for and develop new eDiscovery solutions in response to evolving technology.

“We’ve already had positive feedback when discussing the new facility with contacts in the North West’s expanding legal services market, whose eDiscovery requirements are increasingly complex.”

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