James Ford

Clients turn to James for insights from his time working in-house across four different sectors.  He has previously been seconded to: the global sanctions team of a major European bank; the group legal team of a European-headquartered mining company; the group export controls team of a major defence company during the term of a Consent Agreement with the US State Department; the disputes team of a major international bank; and the bribery and corruption team of a global oil and gas company.

A passionate thought leader, James is a regular contributor to the firm’s “Eye on ESG” blog, and has written articles for a range of publications including Global Investigations Review (GIR), Law360, Financier Worldwide, Governance & Compliance, European CEO, and IPE Magazine.  He has also participated in numerous panel discussions on sanctions, anti-corruption, and ESG, and has been a guest speaker on the Royal United Services Institute’s flagship podcast, the “Suspicious Transaction Report.”

James sits on the Board of Transparency International UK, a leading anti-corruption NGO, and established and leads the Transparency International Professional Supporters (TIPS) Network, a volunteer initiative of professionals, academics, and students aimed at supporting Transparency International's advocacy and outreach efforts.

Compliance

• Provided ongoing anti-corruption, business and human rights, and broader supply chain risk management advice to a major European-headquartered mining company.
• Advised on the conduct of anti-corruption, sanctions, and broader compliance risk assessments for clients in a number of sectors, including mining, retail, offshore, chemicals, heavy industry, construction and, defence and aerospace.
• Designed and implemented anti-corruption and sanctions compliance programmes and delivered associated training for various clients, including a multinational food and beverage company, a global retail company, and a European-headquartered mining company.

Investigations

• Advised a European-headquartered financial institution in connection with a multi-year US regulatory investigation.
• Advised a European food company in connection with alleged adverse human rights impacts in its supply chain.
• Advised a European construction company on an internal investigation in connection with whistleblower allegations around potential claims of anti-corruption, fraud, and related misconduct.

Transaction advice

• Advised on the divestment of Russian business interests for a number of European clients.
• Provided transaction due diligence support in the areas of anti-corruption, sanctions, and human rights in relation to a number of M&A transactions.
• Advised on the UK's National Security and Investment Act regime and assisting on disclosures to the Investment Security Unit under the regime.

Pro bono

• Advised a number of NGOs on a range of matters relating to anti-corruption, whistleblowing and human rights.