Kroll Expands Advisory Platform in South Africa, Strengthening Global Restructuring Capabilities and Cross-Border Support

Managing Directors, Ken Afrah and Jo Mitchell-Marais join Kroll

New York, NY-Kroll, the leading independent provider of global financial and risk advisory solutions, has today announced the expansion of its advisory team in South Africa, enhancing both its restructuring and special situations capabilities for domestic clients as well as international investors and firms operating across sub-Saharan Africa.

Ken Afrah and Jo Mitchell-Marais join as Managing Directors and Gregor Böttcher joins as Director. They will work alongside Managing Directors Stefan Smyth and Alison Timme and Director Wessel de Jager. The team is based across Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Kroll has been operating in Africa for more than 30 years. It is already recognized in the region for its ability to navigate complex and contentious situations, with proven experience enabling clients, including banks, law firms and funds, to understand and respond to special situations in challenging markets. The restructuring practice executes efficiently across multiple jurisdictions, a broad set of industries and various special situations. As a specialist, non-audit global firm, Kroll can mobilize teams and quickly respond to clients' needs. The team is also uniquely positioned to take on directorship, chief restructuring officer (CRO) and supervisory board appointments.

"Kroll is the definitive authority at the intersection of valuation, risk and transactions," says Jason Kardachi, Global Co-Head of Restructuring, Kroll. "Our expansion in South Africa reflects both client demand and our active commitment to being where our clients need us most. We bring together deep local expertise, strong connectivity across legal and financial ecosystems, as well as the full strength of the global Kroll platform to help clients navigate increasingly complex and dynamic operating environments."

"Cross-border capital flows and increasing financial connectivity with Asia are shaping new opportunities and challenges. At the same time, South Africa's economy is modernizing, de-industrialization is accelerating and yet we also need to navigate inflation and softness in consumer spending. We're here to help clients protect, restore and maximize value against this backdrop," says Stefan Smyth, Managing Director, Kroll.

Through its ongoing investment, clients will further benefit from direct access to Kroll's global experts and capabilities, including asset recovery, investigations, fund solutions, valuation advisory and private credit expertise. The firm's industry-agnostic approach and independence allow Kroll to deliver agile solutions tailored to each situation.

These latest appointments follow the opening of Kroll's newest office in 2025, located in Mauritius and led by Luvy Thacoor, Managing Director, Kroll. The Mauritius office enhanced Kroll's reach into regional and international markets and, in addition to restructuring capabilities, the team supports Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and funds domiciled in Mauritius, which play a critical role in the continent's economic growth. Kroll's Investigations, Diligence and Compliance (IDC) practice continue to provide investigatory services across the continent, led by Oliver Stern, Managing Director, Kroll.

For more information, go to our Restructuring and Investigations, Diligence and Compliances pages.

About Kroll
As the leading independent provider of financial and risk advisory solutions, Kroll leverages our unique insights, data and technology to help clients stay ahead of complex valuation demands. Kroll's team of more than 6,500 professionals worldwide continues the firm's nearly 100-year history of trusted expertise spanning risk, governance, transactions and valuation. Our advanced solutions and intelligence provide clients the foresight they need to create an enduring competitive advantage. At Kroll, our values define who we are and how we partner with clients and communities. Learn more at kroll.com.

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