Robert is Senior Legal Counsel in our Business Crime and Investigations team.
He has acted and continues to act for clients operating in all sectors and across jurisdictions providing advice and assistance in sensitive and often high stakes fraud, bribery, sanctions and money laundering matters.
Robert has led and conducted numerous business crime investigations, pre and post-acquisition due diligence projects and developed compliance programs both proactively and following resolution of enforcement matters. He has successfully represented and defended clients facing scrutiny by enforcement bodies including the Serious Fraud Office, the Financial Conduct Authority, the US Department of Justice and the US Securities & Exchanges Commission, amongst others.
Robert has been a partner at two US law firms, Covington & Burling LLP and Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP and is the former Head of Anti-Corruption, Proceeds of Crime and International Assistance at the UK Serious Fraud Office, where he led the investigation and prosecution of some of the UK’s most sophisticated bribery and money laundering cases.
Robert is a regular speaker at anti-corruption and AML conferences and is often quoted in the press. He has been recognised by directories including Legal 500, Chambers, and Who’s Who Legal as a leading lawyer in his field.
Robert’s science PhD and his experience working for almost a decade for global technology businesses allows him to offer clients counsel in relation to the business crime risks, compliance strategies and opportunities presented for their businesses by the rapidly evolving AI and crypto space.
Expertise
- Business Crime and Investigations
- Commercial Disputes
- Cryptoassets
- FCA Investigations
- Investigations
- Compliance
Recent work
Defence of a multinational mining conglomerate and its senior executives in parallel investigations by the Serious Fraud Office and U.S. Department of Justice of alleged Bribery Act and FCPA violations in Central Asia and Africa.
Representation of the founder and major shareholder of a PLC in his battle with the current board over suspicions of serious corruption perpetrated by current and former directors of the PLC.
Defence of senior executives of a large publicly traded company being investigated by multiple investigatory authorities for alleged corruption in a former Soviet country. Working alongside Company’s counsel. Resulted in a Deferred Prosecution Agreement.
Defence of a multinational pharmaceutical company in relation to a Serious Fraud Office enquiry prompted by anonymous whistle-blower complaints – sent directly to UK and US prosecutors—relating to alleged bribery of Indian healthcare professionals. Resulted in no further action being taken by SFO.
Defence of a Nordic engineering company in World Bank debarment negotiations following an internal investigation into allegations of corrupt and collusive behavior in Ukraine. Work involved conducting an investigation, settlement discussions, and remediation.
Representation of an overseas investor in a UK company in his successful efforts to remove directors suspected of fraud, securing freezing orders against them, and referral to the enforcement authorities.
Representation of numerous clients including a multinational technology company, Russian businessmen, and a shareholders group in their referrals to the Serious Fraud Office of alleged corruption by third parties.
Advising and assisting a high profile conglomerate in combating cyber criminals using the company’s name and assets to perpetrate a fraud. The case involved investigative work and work to disable the fraud.