Global professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) has announced the expansion of its digital financial services expertise in the GCC with the appointment of two new Managing Directors, Tristan Brandt and Sara Grinstead. This strategic move underscores A&M's commitment to enhancing its digital capabilities and delivering innovative financial solutions in the region.
Tristan Brandt joins A&M with a distinguished career in digital transformation and financial services. Prior to his appointment, Brandt served as the Chief Digital Officer for Saudi British Bank, where he was instrumental in developing and implementing digital strategies. His expertise extends to managing a capital investment portfolio for RAKBANK and running an incubator for the Royal Bank of Scotland, where he successfully secured funding to launch a digital challenger bank. Brandt also served as Managing Director at Lebara Mobile, where he established an award-winning customer service operation and managed a substantial trading operation. His diverse experience in digital banking, strategic investments, and customer service operations positions him as a key asset to A&M’s growing digital financial services team.
Sara Grinstead brings over 20 years of experience in financial services, with a strong focus on digital transformation and business model innovation. She joins A&M from Saudi digital bank D360, where she held the position of Chief Operating Officer. In her role at D360, Grinstead led significant digital transformation initiatives, enhancing operational efficiency and customer experience. Her prior experience includes serving as Chief Strategy Officer at Xpence, a business banking platform tailored for SMEs and freelancers across the GCC. Grinstead has also held numerous leadership and advisory roles in digital banking and fintech sectors across the Middle East and the UK. Her deep understanding of digital banking ecosystems and her proven track record in driving value-focused transformations make her a vital addition to A&M’s leadership team.
