FTI expands Strategic Communications team with new appointment

As the Indian market expands to take on a more regional character, FTI Consulting has appointed a new Senior Advisor to its Strategic Communications segment in the country. Valsa Williams will hope to leverage over three decades of experience to advise on public policy matters, particularly across the South Asia region. 

The Indian economy is riding a wave of substantial economic growth, which is expected to continue over the next few decades, with estimates placing the country’s economy in the top 2 in the world for 2050. As the economy expands, vibrant business is likely to spill over into surrounding economies, making India a driver of regional growth.

Business advisory firm FTI Consulting is hoping to capitalise on this regional growth. The international consulting firm offers customised solutions to companies across India, operating from offices in New Delhi and Mumbai. FTI’s consulting segments include Economic Consulting, Forensic and Litigation Consulting, and Strategic Communications.

As business in the region increasingly incorporates regional collaboration, the firm has moved to strengthen its Strategic Communications Segment, with the appointment of Valsa Williams as Senior Advisor for the arm. Williams has been appointed to help with advisory services in the region of South Asia, specifically on matters of public policy.This comes as no surprise, as Williams has over 35 years of experience in the professional services, with a specific expertise in government affairs and public policy in Asia. She began her career at Punj Lloyd, where she worked in the domain of functional automation, eventually rising to the Head of the Information Systems group at the firm, where she cumulatively spent 11 years.

Williams then moved to Santa Cruz Operations in the US, where she first delved into the field of government as Industrial Manager for Government & Finance. Following a five-year stint at the firm, she joined Intel, where she would stay for the next 15 years. In her time at Intel, she held the positions of Business Development Manager for the India Government Vertical, Asia Business Development Manager, Asia Strategy Manager, and Head of Corporate Affairs.

For the region of South Asia, Williams headed Intel’s Digital Inclusion Programs, as well as their Government Affairs and public Policy division. For the last two years, she has been working as an independent consultant for government affairs.

Commenting on the appointment, Paul Downie, Chairman of Asia Pacific for the Strategic Communications Segment said; “We are excited to have Valsa join our Delhi Public Affairs team. She brings senior counsel on critical technology-related issues, and our global and South Asian clients will benefit immensely from her advice. Valsa will play a key role in enhancing our advisory capabilities in the fast-growing South Asia market.”

Meanwhile, Managing Director of the segment in Mumbai, Amrit Singh Deo said; “The growth of the digital economy, increasing use of 'big data' and rising data usage is creating new public policy opportunities and uncertainties for businesses, incumbents and new entrants. Policy issues like cyber-security, privacy and critical infrastructure affect many industries from financial services to information technology companies to public utilities. We are delighted to have a senior professional such as Valsa working with us to help clients navigate this dynamic policy environment.”