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KPMG Cybersecurity Centre Launch Overshadowed by Financial Entanglements

  //science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. nch-overshadowed-by-financial-entanglements.html
  Published in Science and Technology on Sunday, January 25th 2026 at 19:48 GMT by London Evening Standard
      Locales: ISRAEL, UNITED KINGDOM, UNITED STATES

Tel Aviv, Israel - January 26th, 2026 - KPMG's recent announcement of a new cybersecurity centre in Tel Aviv has been overshadowed by revelations of a surprisingly intricate network of financial connections involving a prominent basketball team, Microsoft, and even a Premier League football club. The arrangement, detailed in a report by The Sunday Times, raises questions about potential conflicts of interest and has prompted scrutiny of KPMG's oversight and compliance.

The centre itself represents a significant investment in Israel's thriving tech sector. However, the funding structure, spearheaded by former KPMG partner Shlomo Zilberman, has become the focus of intense examination. Zilberman, now a director of several entities involved in the investment, sits at the heart of a complex web of relationships that extend far beyond the cybersecurity venture.

The Key Players and Their Entanglements

The situation is multifaceted, requiring a careful breakdown of the involved parties and their interconnectedness:

• KPMG: The global accounting and consulting firm is establishing the cybersecurity centre. While KPMG insists the investment adheres to all regulations and that no current employees are directly participating in the investment decisions, the links to former partners have prompted concern.
• Shlomo Zilberman: A former KPMG partner, Zilberman now holds a director's position in several companies central to the investment structure. His involvement is arguably the most significant point of contention, given his past role within KPMG.
• Tel Aviv Maccabi Basketball Club: Zilberman possesses a substantial ownership stake in this leading Israeli sports team. The connection to a major sports club immediately adds a layer of complexity to the transaction.
• Borealis Investment Group: This investment group holds a stake in both the basketball club and the new cybersecurity centre. Its chairman, David Sofer, is another former KPMG partner, further thickening the plot. Borealis's involvement suggests a pre-existing investment strategy that the cybersecurity centre now fits into.
• Microsoft: Notably, Microsoft has previously invested in Borealis Investment Group. This demonstrates a clear and established link between a technology behemoth and the financial structure underpinning the cybersecurity hub.
• West Ham United: The surprising inclusion of West Ham United comes through its co-owner, David Sullivan, who also maintains connections to Borealis. This connection, seemingly tangential to the technology and finance aspects, underscores the widespread reach of the investment network.

The Financial Architecture & Potential Conflicts

The arrangement, reportedly involving offshore entities and intricate financial maneuvers, has naturally raised eyebrows. The core issue revolves around potential conflicts of interest. As an auditor for numerous companies, KPMG's impartiality is paramount. The involvement of former partners in connected businesses, even if not directly employed by KPMG, casts a shadow over the firm's objectivity.

The use of offshore entities further complicates the picture, raising questions about transparency and potential tax implications. While KPMG claims compliance with all relevant regulations, the complexity of the structure invites increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies and the public alike.

Microsoft's Role & The Bigger Picture

Microsoft's previous investment in Borealis adds another layer of intrigue. It suggests that the financial structure surrounding the cybersecurity centre isn't a spontaneous creation, but rather part of a longer-term investment strategy orchestrated by Borealis. Understanding the precise nature of Microsoft's due diligence in their initial investment into Borealis becomes crucial in assessing the overall risk profile of this situation.

KPMG's Response & Future Implications

KPMG has responded to the mounting criticism by emphasizing its adherence to regulations and asserting that no current employees are directly involved in the investment decisions. However, the firm faces a significant challenge in rebuilding trust and demonstrating that its independence isn't compromised by these intricate connections.

The situation serves as a stark reminder of the potential pitfalls of complex financial arrangements and the importance of rigorous oversight. Regulators are likely to examine the structure more closely, and the incident will undoubtedly impact how KPMG handles similar situations in the future. The ongoing scrutiny will likely influence the practices of other major consulting firms operating in international markets, emphasizing the need for heightened transparency and stringent conflict-of-interest protocols.