Irina Bakanova

Irina Bakanova is a Managing Director in FTI Consulting’s Business Transformation practice in London, specialising in financial services.

Irina has extensive experience delivering digital transformation and operational improvements. Her expertise includes leading the design and implementation of business innovation, growth and cost optimisation strategies.

With more than 12 years in financial services, Irina has advised C-suite leaders across global businesses and has held leadership roles, including advisory as the board director.

Prior to joining FTI Consulting, Irina was the Head of Strategy and Finance for a fintech venture within HSBC. Prior to that, she held senior positions at McKinsey & Company and Royal Bank of Scotland.

Relevant Experience:

• Set up and launched a global fintech venture by HSBC, including strategy, proposition and target operating model development, regulatory licensing, inorganic activity, 0-1 build, running business operations and corporate governance; led the business set up and regulatory engagement in the Middle East
• Developed multi-year strategies for retail products contributing to $19 billion annual revenue (transactional banking, savings, payments, FX, and secured and unsecured credit) for one of the largest global banks
• Defined and designed best-in-class customer digital journeys for 10 leading markets of a global bank
• Delivered capital optimisation for one of the main global banks covering risk-weighted assets (‘RWAs’) optimisation opportunity review and operating model design for the end-to-end risk function ($800 million RWA reduction)
• Led cost optimisation for finance and HR of the international banking arm of a large multinational bank
• Led front office corporate banking transformation with 30% capacity improvements identified
• Delivered growth targeted transformation of the sales and marketing function for a private equity-owned retirement housing company, increasing sales by 40%
• Led customer services operating model transformation for a large multibrand European electronics retailer achieving 30% cost reduction and improvement of customer service
• Delivered service operations transformation within mid-size pharmaceuticals company with 80% potential productivity gains
• Worked with a national transport network to define and implement innovation and capex optimisation strategy and initiatives to meet five-year commitment to the UK government; led regional implementation, working across leadership levels and developing internal talent to address opportunities in realising more than £50 million in efficiency savings annually