Chris is a global compliance lawyer specialising in bribery & corruption, modern slavery and sanctions.

Chris helps businesses, across different sectors, with a range of compliance issues, including pro-active risk assessment, mitigation and compliant culture development. He also supports clients on internal and regulatory investigations, in the UK and on-the-ground in various other jurisdictions.  This has included engagement with various regulators and prosecutors including the CMA, SFO and OfGem.

As a leading member of the Osborne Clarke ESG team, Chris also helps clients develop effective ESG strategies, including understanding and meeting supply chain due diligence obligations.

Helping you succeed in tomorrow's world

I am seeing every day how the compliance expectations on businesses and the expectations on legal and compliance teams within businesses are changing. I work with clients to help them meet those expectations now and plan to meet them in the future. Central to this approach is developing and maintaining a strong compliance culture.

Whether looking at a specific compliance issue, or across the wider compliance landscape, I help clients identify and prioritise their compliance risks, undertake system reviews, gap analysis, and audits to identify areas for improvement and then help then put improvements into action, based upon practical policies, procedures and structures. I also help clients meet external compliance standards, such as the Labour Standards Assurance Scheme, and I am qualified as an auditor for the Global Network Initiative.

Strategic Compliance

Advising a leading international engineering company in the energy, ports, mining, defence and transport sectors, on its approach to compliance across six risk areas, with particular focus on bribery, data privacy, modern slavery, and failure to prevent facilitation of tax evasion. 

Regulatory Investigation

Advising a major developer on its engagement with and response to the CMA investigation into the sale of residential leaseholds. 

External Standards

Undertaking an independent assessment of a global telecoms company’s progress against the GNI principles. 

Labour and Human Rights

Advising a healthcare client on compliance with the NHS Labour Standards Assurance Scheme.

Modern Slavery

Advising numerous clients on compliance with the s.54 Modern Slavery Act TISC statement obligation, including advising on it in the context of future developments in the UK and broader trends worldwide. 

Bribery

Advising in relation to the investigation of alleged bribery involving an African subsidiary, on behalf of a FTSE 100 client, including communication with the SFO leading to a confirmation that no further action would be taken.

Bribery

Advising a major multinational food and ingredients company on its response to allegations of bribery including interviews and information gathering in various jurisdictions.

Bribery

Advising a raw materials company in relation to the investigation of alleged corruption and unethical conduct by employees in the UK.

Bribery

Advising a multinational FTSE100 financial institution in relation to the monitoring of its multi-jurisdictional ABC policy and procedures, including an analysis of priority issues to be monitored within each section of the business.

Bribery

Advising numerous clients in relation to bribery and corruption risk in the context of M&A and refinancing.

Bribery

Undertaking an investigation of alleged bribery and corruption within a defence sector client.

Ethical conduct

Undertaking an investigation and assessment of the ethical, legal and commercial risks arising from the operation of a brand protection team within a multinational drinks manufacturer.

Strategic Compliance

Advising a digital client on the scope of its current and future risks across 5 compliance areas including recommendations for proactive action as the business grows. 

Strategic Compliance

Undertaking a strategic review of the compliance approach and resourcing of a major international drinks company, with specific focus on compliance structures, information flows and responsibility.