FTI Consulting adds Matt Ward as managing director in strategic communications

FTI Consulting, a Washington, DC-headquartered management consulting firm, has hired Matt Ward as a managing director in its strategic communications segment.

Based in New York, Ward brings more than 15 years of experience in corporate affairs, business transformation, and communications. He has advised senior executive and policymakers on crisis response, change management, media relations, and M&A communications.

Ward has particular expertise in supporting banking organizations through periods of corporate transformation.

“Companies and executives in the highly regulated financial services sector need to be able to effectively leverage rapidly evolving technologies to reach all stakeholders with messages that resonate,” said Josh Drobnyk, Americas head of financial services within FTI Consulting’s strategic communications segment. “Coupled with our own development of AI capabilities, Matt’s strategic, innovative mindset and mix of public and private sector experience enhance our ability to provide a comprehensive suite of services to help our clients cut through the noise and elevate their brand.”

In his new role at FTI, Ward will work with banking clients on executive positioning, crisis response and preparedness, transformation strategy, internal and external stakeholder engagement, and digital reputation management.

Ward most recently spent two years as head of communications at Corebridge Financial, and before that spent six years with HSBC, where he was head of US communications.

Earlier in his career, Ward was a VP at public relations firm Hill+Knowlton Strategies and associate director of media relations and public affairs at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

He has a bachelor’s degree in communication from William Paterson University of New Jersey.

“As a former client of FTI Consulting, I was really impressed by the caliber of the team, the quality of the work and the culture,” Ward said. “I look forward to collaborating with my new colleagues to help clients navigate and overcome their most critical business issues with a modernized strategic communications approach that delivers measurable and impactful results.”