BRG is opening a permanent office in Johannesburg, South Africa. The new office will serve as BRG’s regional hub and specialise in disputes, investigations and economic regulation, including competition law matters.

Surging demand

The news follows BRG’s recent announcement that it has appointed Greg Harman as a managing director to lead the firm’s EMEA Disputes practice. Mr Harman boasts significant South African case experience, including appearances as an expert witness before the country’s competition tribunal and high court and work on matters before the competition appeal court, supreme court of appeal and the constitutional court. He will be closely involved in building BRG’s South African presence. Commenting on the firm’s expansion, Mr Harman said “BRG has a strong track record of advising clients in Africa, with our specialists having worked extensively across the region as expert consultants to private companies, governments, regulators and international organisations. Our new permanent office in South Africa signifies our commitment to the region as we continue to see a surging demand for our services.” BRG’s new Johannesburg office will be led by managing director Mark Williams, who over the past 18 years has been based in or active across Africa. Mr Williams is an economist focused on regulatory and competition economics.

More hires due

Commenting on the launch of the office and expansion in Africa, Mr Williams said “BRG offers an extensive array of expertise in economics, regulation, and corporate and financial investigation as well as complex damages assessment across a wide range of key industries such as energy and construction, telecoms and transportation. Our team has experience working for clients across Africa for many years. The addition of a permanent office in South Africa is something we have been planning for some time and will help BRG to expand its activities in the African market.” The firm expects to announce further hires to its Johannesburg team before the end of the year, to join existing staff, and will host an official office opening reception, featuring speakers from industry and the legal field, as well as David Teece, the firm’s chairman and cofounder, in Johannesburg in February 2020.