iDS adds Kenneth Gustafson as managing director for economics

iDS has named Kenneth Gustafson as managing director, expanding its economics capabilities for merits and damages work. The hire adds more than 25 years of global commodity and capital markets experience to the firm’s disputes and forensic accounting practice.

Why it matters: - iDS is broadening the expert support it can offer in high-stakes disputes. - The addition strengthens the firm’s ability to value alleged financial harm and defend those calculations under cross-examination. - The move connects economics, forensic accounting and structured data work in one advisory team.

What happened: - iDS named Kenneth Gustafson as its newest managing director. - The appointment expands iDS capabilities into economics. - Gustafson joins as iDS deepens its merits and damages work. - The company made the announcement on July 1, 2026, in Washington, D.C.

The details: - Gustafson brings more than 25 years of experience in global commodity and capital markets. - He led commodity structuring for the Americas at Citigroup. - He also held senior roles at Shell Trading, Enron, Deutsche Bank and Bankers Trust. - His work has included valuing and structuring complex transactions in energy and structured finance. - As a partner at Vine Advisors and founder of KEG Capital, he advised corporations, private equity firms and counsel on valuation, economic damages and risk. - Gustafson has testified and consulted as an expert in commercial disputes. - iDS said the hire places Gustafson alongside its damages and forensic accounting experts. - The firm said the combined team will focus on questions such as what a loss is worth, how to measure it and whether the methodology can withstand an opposing expert. - iDS said the addition brings Gustafson’s market and valuation work into matters where the size of a financial claim is itself disputed. - The company directs readers to idsinc.com for more information on Gustafson and the economics expertise now available through iDS.

Between the lines: - The hire signals that iDS wants to compete more directly on valuation-heavy disputes, not just data review and forensic accounting. - Gustafson’s background suggests iDS is prioritizing experts who can defend economic models in adversarial settings. - The move also reflects demand for testimony that can bridge finance, data and legal arguments.

What's next: - Gustafson will help build out iDS’s economics offering. - iDS is likely to market the new capability to clients handling disputes where damages and valuation are central issues. - The firm will continue pairing economics expertise with its existing structured data and forensic accounting teams.

The bottom line: - iDS is adding senior economic firepower to strengthen its damages work and widen the range of disputes it can handle.