UK’s professional services firm Evelyn Partners revealed “a significant move to strengthen its Forensic Services team with the appointment of Annabel Kerley FCA as Head of Fraud and Financial Crime.”
As a Partner specializing in investigations Annabel will “build and grow Evelyn Partners’ Forensic Services practice, working closely with David Alexander, Head of Forensic Services, and John Holden, Head of Forensic Technology.”
Evelyn Partners claims it is “the UK’s leading integrated professional services and wealth management group – having been formed from the merger of Smith & Williamson and Tilney – looking after clients’ combined wealth and tax needs both personal and business.”
Annabel is “a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales and a former senior investigator at the Serious Fraud Office and Financial Conduct Authority.”
She joins from boutique forensic firm StoneTurn “where she notably founded the London investigations practice, and previous to that held a senior position at EY.”
During her 20-year career Annabel has “led investigations into asset misappropriation, employee misconduct, financial misstatement, sanctions breaches, market abuse and misleading statements in civil, regulatory and criminal contexts.”
She has “helped clients across multiple sectors navigate high-stakes investigations into complex multi-million cross-border fraud, bribery and corruption cases.”
In addition, Annabel “has in-depth experience of private prosecutions and is currently Chair of the Private Prosecutors’ Association.” She also “has extensive experience in Monitorships having led the Compliance and Anti-Financial Crime workstreams for the Department of Justice / SEC-appointed Monitor to a global bank subject to a Deferred Prosecution Agreement.”
David Alexander said:
“With financial crime on the rise, organisations operating today increasingly require specialist forensic support to protect value in their business. Annabel offers unique expertise gained across a wide range of geographies, industries and regulators to help clients mitigate the impact of fraud and misconduct. Annabel’s ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and deploy the latest forensic technology and forensic accounting techniques make her a valuable addition to the Evelyn Partners team.”
Annabel adds:
“I am thrilled to be joining Evelyn Partners at this exciting time in the firm’s growth journey. It is a full-service accounting firm with a highly-regarded Forensics practice and an extensive international footprint as a founding member of the CLA Global network. Its agile, partner-led and conflict-free service sets it apart in the market. I look forward to working with the Forensic team and wider firm to support clients navigating high-stakes economic crime issues.”
As noted in an update shared with CI, Evelyn Partners claims it is “the UK’s leading integrated wealth management and professional services group, created following the merger of Tilney and Smith & Williamson.”
With £52.0 billion of assets under management (as at 30 September 2022), it ranks “as the second largest UK wealth manager measured by EBITDA and the sixth largest professional services firm ranked by fee income (source: Accountancy Age 50+50 rankings, 2021).”
It has “a network of offices across 26 towns and cities in the UK, as well as the Republic of Ireland and the Channel Islands.” Through its operating companies, the Group “offers an extensive range of financial and professional services to individuals, family trusts, professional intermediaries, charities and businesses.”
Evelyn Partners’ purpose is “to place the power of good advice into more hands, and it is uniquely well-placed to support clients with both their personal financial affairs and their business interests.”
Evelyn Partner’s personal wealth management services “include financial planning, investment management and advice, personal tax advice and, through Bestinvest, an award-winning online investment service for self-directed investors.”
For businesses, its wide range of services “includes assurance and accounting, business tax advice, employee benefits, forensic advice, fund administration, fund governance, recovery and restructuring and transaction services.”