Client
Leading financial institution
Industry
Financial Services
Primary goal
Senior management due diligence and leadership risk assessment
Services
Executive intelligence, behavioural risk assessment, reputation reviews, source-based enquiries
Leadership appointments have far-reaching implications for governance, culture, employee engagement and stakeholder trust. While traditional background verification validates qualifications and employment history, it often provides limited visibility into behavioural risks and workplace reputation.
KPMG in India supported a leading financial institution in evaluating a senior leadership candidate through an extensive Senior Management Due Diligence (SMDD) assessment. Leveraging intelligence-led enquiries and reputation checks, the engagement helped provide a broader understanding of risks that may not surface through conventional screening approaches.
Key highlights
The opportunity
The candidate had successfully cleared traditional screening parameters, including employment verification, regulatory checks, litigation reviews and adverse media searches.
However, given the strategic nature of the role, the client sought a deeper understanding of behavioural, cultural and leadership-related risks that could influence organisational effectiveness and employee experience.
Our approach
KPMG in India conducted discreet intelligence gathering and reputation enquiries across professional networks and industry sources.
The review assessed:
The assessment surfaced concerns that had not appeared through traditional screening channels, including allegations relating to workplace conduct, employee interactions and management practices.
The outcome
The engagement delivered a more holistic perspective of the candidate beyond professional accomplishments and credentials. Multiple independent sources alleged inappropriate comments towards female colleagues, repeated unsolicited personal interactions, and behaviour that reportedly caused discomfort within the workplace including an alleged historical POSH-related matter, while no formal complaints or escalations were made due to fear. Sources described the target individual as highly hierarchical, demanding and intimidating and limited receptiveness to feedback.
These insights helped leadership understand potential risks associated with organisational culture, workforce retention and stakeholder management, enabling a more informed hiring decision.
How we make the difference
KPMG in India combines investigative intelligence, source-based enquiries and discreet expertise to help organisations evaluate leadership risk comprehensively. By identifying considerations that traditional verification processes often miss, we support better governance and more confident executive appointments.
KPMG. Make the Difference.
Key Contacts
Maneesha Garg
Partner & Head – Managed Services, Forensic, F&A, HR, Learning, Insight Led sales, Digital business operations and Sourcing
KPMG in India
