What to expect in corporate governance compliance in 2026: The trends shaping enforcement, liability and training
Corporate compliance in 2026 is defined less by new tick-box rules and more by a clear shift in regulatory intent. Across fraud, bribery, employment law, cyber security and financial services, the direction of travel is consistent: broader corporate liability, stronger personal accountability for senior leaders, and higher expectations of training, controls and internal reporting. […]
Beyond the Modern Slavery Act: inside the UK’s proposed new business and human rights law
The UK is on the verge of a major shift in how it tackles forced labour and human rights abuses in global value chains. Last month, the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner published a model legislative proposal aimed at strengthening the UK’s approach beyond the current Modern Slavery Act framework. The proposal follows growing political and […]
One in six Britons was asked to pay a bribe last year. Is your business at risk?
The UK is often assumed to have strong protections against bribery and corruption thanks to its strong legal framework. Yet this can mask a troubling reality: bribery and corruption persist in everyday life, not just within organisations but in routine interactions affecting millions of citizens. A recent report by the International Society of Economic Criminology […]
The UK’s 2025 anti-corruption plan has landed. What are the implications for businesses and the public sector?
The government has finally published the UK Anti-Corruption Strategy 2025, a five-year plan that sits alongside the Economic Crime Plan and the new Failure to Prevent Fraud offence. On paper it is ambitious. It talks about professional enablers, sets out plans for new enforcement tools and promises better protection for public money. At the […]
As the UK tightens corporate crime laws, culture could make or break firms
Recent years have seen seismic shifts in corporate criminal law, from the Bribery Act 2010 to the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA), and now additional legislation on the table. In response, many firms are ramping up compliance programmes, policies, and risk-management frameworks. Under newly expanded liability provisions (e.g., via ECCTA and […]
HMRC’s new handbook sheds light on growing trade-based money laundering risks
Luxury goods that were actually phantom shipments, with no goods ever delivered. Agricultural imports that were falsely declared, concealing narcotics hidden within legitimate trade. These are just two examples of how criminals exploit global trade to launder illicit funds, making it difficult for businesses to identify and prevent illegal activity within their supply chains. For […]
Workplace stress hits record highs in latest HSE stats: What employers need to know
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has released its annual statistics for workplace health and safety, revealing worrying trends in work-related ill health for 2024/25. According to the report, an estimated 1.9 million UK workers suffered from work-related ill health in the past year, with mental health conditions, particularly stress, anxiety, and depression, remaining the […]
Sanctions sweep hits Mexican casino group accused of laundering millions for the Sinaloa Cartel
The United States recently imposed sweeping sanctions on members of Mexico’s Hysa family, alleging that a global network of casinos and restaurants was used to launder money for the Sinaloa Cartel. The designations, announced on 13 November, target six family members, an associate, and multiple businesses spanning Mexico, Canada and Poland. The move was coordinated […]
AML pressure rises on gambling sectors: Inside the new casino guidance update
The Gambling Commission has released an updated version of its casino guidance, bringing it in line with earlier amendments under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017, the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, and the FCA’s approach to politically exposed persons (PEPs). While many of these issues have been flagged in recent notices, this is the first […]