World's 50 Most Influential Business Women Making a Difference in 2025

Nisha Sanghani

Company: Ashurst Risk Advisory

Designation: Partner, Head of Middle East

Country: United Arab Emirates

Nisha Sanghani is a distinguished leader in business, risk management and corporate governance. Her personal brand resonates with excellence, leadership, and innovation in the world of risk management and corporate governance. With over two decades of consultancy and in-house commercial experience, Nisha has firmly established herself as one of the most respected and influential figures in the field. As a Partner and Head of Ashurst Risk Advisory Middle East, Nisha’s expertise, drive, and vision are now making a transformative impact across the region.

In a career that spans an impressive array of leadership roles, Nisha is renowned for her deep technical knowledge in governance, regulatory compliance, and risk management, paired with a proven track record of delivering complex business change programs. Her ability to provide board-level executives with actionable insights and guidance has cemented her as a go-to consultant for organizations navigating complex governance challenges.

A major milestone in Nisha’s journey came in October 2022 when she joined Ashurst Risk Advisory UK as a founding partner. There, Nisha was instrumental in building new client relationships and expanding the firm’s presence, offering solutions in corporate governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance.

Before joining Ashurst, Nisha co-founded Rosediem Consulting, a boutique consulting firm. Under her leadership, Rosediem was honoured with the title of ‘Best Specialist Financial Regulatory Consulting Firm’ in the UK, and Nisha was recognized as one of the UK’s top 20 dynamic CEOs. Her career also includes executive roles at KPMG UK, a global investment bank, and a FTSE 250-listed wealth manager, further showcasing her broad expertise and influence in the industry.

Nisha’s recent move to the Middle East represents another bold and exciting chapter in her illustrious career. Having been appointed to lead the expansion of Ashurst Risk Advisory in the region, she has spearheaded the launch of the firm’s Middle East consulting platform. With a vision that aligns with the region’s rapidly evolving landscape, Nisha has introduced a new offering that will serve as a complimentary arm to Ashurst’s core legal services. This new initiative specializes in risk management, corporate governance, and complex infrastructure and capital projects, spanning a wide range of sectors.

“As the Middle East enters a new era—an era characterized by boundless ambitions and a prosperous future—it is with great enthusiasm and a profound sense of purpose that I introduce our new consulting firm,” says Nisha. “This firm will play a critical role in the diversification and future growth of the region’s economy. Ashurst Risk Advisory Middle East is the first international firm in the region to bring together dedicated teams of legal and consulting professionals working side by side. Our unique offering combines Ashurst’s 200-year international reputation with the technical expertise and critical thinking necessary to empower our clients as we navigate this exciting new era together.”

Nisha’s vision is that with her team’s global expertise in risk management and governance, they can support businesses in the Middle East to transform business performance through progressive corporate governance. This visionary approach is designed to empower clients across the Middle East, equipping them with the strategic tools needed to succeed in a fast-changing and highly competitive environment. The collaborative nature of the new firm’s offering—the blending of legal and consulting services—ensures that clients benefit from an integrated, holistic approach to risk management and governance.

Today, as Nisha leads Ashurst Risk Advisory Middle East, and establishes herself and Ashurst Risk Advisory in the region, her influence continues to grow. In addition to her leadership role at Ashurst, Nisha serves as a specialist advisor to the Corporate Governance Committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants England & Wales (ICAEW), where she is shaping best practices for corporate governance across the globe.

Her remarkable career, commitment to excellence, and visionary leadership will no doubt  influence the future of risk advisory in the Middle East. As she forges ahead, Nisha Sanghani is playing a vital role in shaping a new era of governance, business transformation, and economic growth in the region.

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