The new SFO Director, Nick Ephgrave QPM, marks his first 100 days in post this month after succeeding Lisa Osofsky in September 2023. Much has been made of how Ephgrave is the first non-lawyer Director, having previously served as the Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. 2 UK Serious Fraud Office, Press Release, Nick Ephgrave QPM begins tenure as Director of the Serious Fraud Office (25 September 2023), https://www.sfo.gov.uk/2023/09/25/nick-ephgrave-qpm-begins-tenure-as-director-of-the-serious-fraud-office/. 3 UK Serious Fraud Office Case Update: ENRC Ltd, https://www.sfo.gov.uk/cases/enrc/4 UK Serious Fraud Office, Press Release, SFO launches criminal investigation into funeral plan provider Safe Hands Plans (11 October 2023), https://www.sfo.gov.uk/2023/10/11/sfo-launches-criminal-investigation-into-funeral-plan-provider-safe-hands-plans/#:~:text=The%20SFO%20is%20a%20specialist,updates%20via%20a%20web%20page5 UK Serious Fraud Office, Press Release, Serious Fraud Office launches investigation into suspected fraud at Axiom Ince with nine raids and seven arrests (14 November 2023), https://www.sfo.gov.uk/2023/11/14/serious-fraud-office-launches-investigation-into-suspected-fraud-at-axiom-ince-with-nine-raids-and-seven-arrests/. 8 Alex Lawson, The Guardian, Patisserie Valerie fraud trial will not start until 2026, court told (7 November 2023) https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/nov/07/patisserie-valerie-trial-will-not-start-until-2026-court-told.

Source: The Guardian January 12, 2024 20:57 UTC