FTI Consulting, the international business advisory firm, is expanding its footprint in China with the appointment of Dr Mark Smith as senior managing director to its real estate advisory practice under its subsidiary FTI Schonbraun McCann.

Dr Smith joins the company from Ernst & Young, where he led the global real estate and construction unit. He brings with him over 25 years of experience advising Fortune 500 firms on realty transactions and specialises in business risks, capital funding and programme advisory.

Smith's addition to the company is testament to FTI's commitment to the fast growing Shanghai area and offers a prelude to its growth plans for the rest of the region.

"China is an emerging force in the global economic recovery. We are excited to have Mark bring his considerable experience to FTI and work with us to expand SMG's solutions offerings to the region during these critical economic times," said Barry Barovick, senior managing director, global real estate advisory practice at FTI Schonbraun.

FTI Schonbraun McCann is a consulting firm specialising in building financial tax and real estate solutions for clients with underlying value in real estate operations and assets.