
Paul Hicks
CIA, CMIIA, QIAL
Consulting Director - Europe, Middle-East and Africa
Global Practice Leader - Global Risk Management & Internal Audit Advisory
Firm EMEA Company Formation Co-Leader
Country Practice Leader - Austria
Vienna, Austria
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Paul, a chartered internal audit leader, is the the firm’s global practice leader – Risk Management and Internal Audit services practice as well as the firm’s EMEA company formation leader.
He us originally from Manchester, England, and holds over 25 years experience of leading and managing internal audit functions in the United Kingdom, Europe, United States, India, and China.
Paul has delivered innovative enterprise risk-based internal auditing since entering the profession in 2003. He has been engaged in global businesses to design, build, and manageinternal audit functions in alignment with the IIA’s leading methodologies and help embed and enahnce enterprise risk management. His work leads to greater organisational confidence to take opportunities for growth, innovation, and to better achieve corporate objectives.
Paul ensures he supports the board and senior management by providing timely insight and foresight into emerging risks to help optimise organisations for success. At an engagement level he ensures that internal audit deliverables focus upon successful outcomes to help his clients better achievestrategies and objectives.
Since 2024, Paul resides in Vienna, Austria to delver a fixed-term assignment with the OPEC Fund for International Development, a multilateral development bank focused on combating climate change, improving global food security, advancing energy transitions, and sustainable growth.
In 2016, Paul achieved the coveted Qualification in Internal Audit Leadership ‘QIAL’ which demonstrates he leads internal audit functions at the strategic enterprise-level and delivers enhanced value through advice, insight, and foresight on corporate governance, enterprise risk management, and effective internal control processes.
In 2013, Paul relocated from London, England to Cologne, Germany to serve as the European leader of internal audit at the global headquarters in Luxembourg of the $4 billion International Automotive Components Group.
Paul holds industry experience within Multilateral Development Banking, Automotive, Pharmaceutical, Semiconductor, Advanced Manufacturing, Real Estate, Construction, and Engineering, Information Technology, Health, Legal, Human Resources, and Financial Services including London Market Insurance and Investor Services.
Paul has expert knowledge of the International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF) to deliver external quality asessements (EQA) and design Quality Assurance and Improvement Programs (QAIP) to evaluate and enhance internal audit functions.
Internal Audit Leadership – Assurance and Advisory
Providing assurance and advisory services on all matters relating to governance, risk, and control. Supporting the development of risk awareness in all aspects of organizational activity and enhancing the measures used to control risk. Interpreting and applying professional standards and other best practices to governance, risk, and control. Evaluating corporate and business strategy, assuring that it successfully exploits opportunities to create current and future value for all stakeholders. Providing advisory services to senior managers and the board that facilitate an organization’s ability to achieve its strategic objectives.
Enterprise Risk Management – Consulting
Providing consulting services on all matters relating to establishing and embedding enterprise risk management frameworks. Facilitating the identification and evaluation of risks. Coaching management in responding to risks. Coordinating ERM activities. Consolidated reporting on risks. Maintaining and developing ERM frameworks such as COSO. Developing risk management strategies for board approval. Reviewing the management of key risks. Evaluating the reporting of key risks. Evaluating ERM processes to ensure they deliver value to stakeholders and that strategic objectives will be achieved.
QUALIFICATIONS and CERTIFICATIONS
Global Institute of Internal Auditors:
- Qualification in Internal Audit Leadership ‘QIAL’ (2016)
Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors:
- Advanced Diploma in Internal Auditing and Management ‘CMIIA’ (2011)
- Diploma in Internal Auditing and Certified Internal Auditor ‘CIA’ (2008)
EDUCATION
Post-graduate Diploma in Town Planning (with Merit)
B.A. (Hons) 2:1 Degree in Urban Studies and Planning, The University of Sheffield, United Kingdom.

While RKA Worldwide Group LLC, including RKA Worldwide USA; RKA Worldwide Brazil; RKA Wordwide Middle East; and RKA Worldwide Protection & Security; and other companies in formation may employ, associate and contract with attorneys and CPAs, we are not public accounting firms or law firms, are not registered as such, and do not give audit or legal advice.
