Deepak Bhawnani – Managing Director, FIOS

Deepak Bhawnani is the Managing Director of FIOS, a technology-enabled risk mitigation and compliance solutions provider specializing in open data research and advanced regulatory screening. Under his leadership, FIOS delivers comprehensive services such as OpenDataAML™, OpenDataKYC™, and OpenDataIntel™, empowering clients with timely, relevant, and actionable intelligence to strengthen compliance, mitigate regulatory risks, and support informed decision-making.

With a career spanning over 37 years in investigative, compliance, and corporate risk advisory roles, Mr. Bhawnani brings unparalleled expertise in fraud analysis, corporate corruption investigations, domestic and international asset discovery, litigation support, and global crisis management consulting.

Career Journey

Mr. Bhawnani began his professional journey in 1987 in London with Kroll, the world’s leading corporate investigations firm. In 1993, he relocated to Hong Kong to expand Kroll’s Asia operations, and by 1996, he was appointed Managing Director & Country Head – India, a position he held until 2003.

Throughout his career, he has personally led numerous high-profile corporate fraud and corruption investigations across multiple jurisdictions, earning a reputation for precision, discretion, and deep domain knowledge. His work has often involved navigating complex regulatory environments and delivering intelligence that supports litigation strategies, investment decisions, and regulatory compliance.

Leadership at FIOS

At FIOS, Mr. Bhawnani has spearheaded the integration of cloud-based advanced technology with access to global and Indian regulatory databases to automate and enhance Know Your Customer (KYC) and compliance processes. The firm’s solutions include:

• Adverse media searches
• International sanctions screenings
• Politically Exposed Person (PEP) checks
• Civil and criminal litigation research
• Bankruptcy and insolvency checks
• Social media and digital footprint analysis

These services are actively utilized by regulated entities (REs), international financial institutions, and global investors to safeguard against compliance breaches, reduce exposure to regulatory fines, and ensure robust due diligence.

Industry Engagement & Thought Leadership

Beyond his corporate role, Mr. Bhawnani is a respected speaker, panel moderator, and trainer at leading investment, legal, and compliance industry events. He regularly conducts integrity due diligence workshops for private equity firms, guiding investment teams on best practices in risk assessment and compliance-driven decision-making.

His unique blend of hands-on investigative experience, global market insight, and technology-led compliance innovation positions him as a trusted advisor to boards, investors, and regulators navigating today’s increasingly complex business risk landscape.