Dear TIPS Member,
On 30 March 2023, the UK Government published its Economic Crime Plan 2 which covers the period 2023 – 2026 (the Plan). The Plan seeks to crack down on money laundering, kleptocracy and sanctions evasion through enhanced cooperation between government, law enforcement, supervisory agencies and the private sector. TI-UK’s review of the plan welcomes the focus on kleptocracy and commitments towards transparency in the UK’s Overseas Territories as well as ambitious reform of the UK’s AML supervisory regime. However, TI-UK have highlighted some important areas for improvement such as securing better resources and improving overall governance of the implementation of the Plan. Among other things, TI-UK have also called for the UK Government to:
Get Companies House reform right the first time by strengthening the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill currently before Parliament;
Improve the Economic Crime Strategy Board by appointing an independent expert and formalising the input of civil society expertise; and
Overhaul the ineffective anti-money laundering supervisory regime and ensure adequate resourcing for law enforcement to create a credible deterrent to economic crime.
Please see below the TIPS Newsletter for March 2023. We look forward to seeing you soon.
- the TIPS team
1. Upcoming Events (register on our Events page)
TIPS Hybrid Event | Ecowash: How lessons learnt from AML can bolster ESG and stem the financing of environmental crime | 25 April 2023 | 7-8pm BST
How to navigate the anti-money laundering landscape | 13 April 2023 | 1-4.30pm BST
Quantifying Corruption Losses in Health | 18 April 2023 | 2.30-3.30pm BST
The Future of Tech: Separating the Hype from the Valuable | 26 April 2023 | 6.15-8pm BST
2. Recent Events
TIPS Anniversary Event | Impactful Advocacy – How to Play Your Part
On 14 March 2023, TIPS was delighted to welcome Gonzalo Guzman of Unilever for the TIPS 5th Anniversary event. He shared some great perspectives on impactful internal and external advocacy as well as how we can play our part as a community of professionals and academics. Gonzalo also spoke of the value in ‘beating the drum’ on key topics to have a tangible impact. Many thanks to Helene Kadjar for expertly moderating and to Molly Vaughan and Kroll for kindly hosting.
TIPS Virtual Event | The Anti-Corruption Landscape in France
On 28 March 2023, the TIPS Network welcomed Laurence Fabre of Transparency International France (TI France). Laurence highlighted the important work of TI France through its Business Integrity Forum. Every two months, the forum convenes to share expertise and best practices and encourages members to speak out. She also discussed the strengths and weaknesses of the current French Sapin 2 Law, reflecting on the importance of cooperation with other jurisdictions and civil society having increased participation across the anti-corruption landscape in France. Many thanks to Sandra Saadi for kindly moderating this event!
3. Items of Interest
TI publications.
- Managing revolving door risks in Westminster. See here.
- Bribes for Bias: Can AI be corrupted? See here.
- Russia sanctions regime at the risk of ‘falling into pieces’. See here.
- How-to guide for corruption assessment tools (3rd edition). See here.
TI blogs.
- Can Ukraine thank Russian corruption for hindering their invasion? See here.
- From Russia with Crypto: Moscow-Based Exchanges Offering to Anonymously Convert Stablecoins for Cash in the UK. See here.
- Sahel survivors of terror, trafficking and police brutality await progress on SDG16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. See here.
- Why FinCen’s proposed public corporate register will be ‘near useless’. See here.
- Canada deals a massive blow to money launderers with strong legislation for a publicly accessible corporate beneficial ownership registry. See here.
Podcasts.
- Corruption Crime and Compliance. Financial Controls: Contract/Purchase Order to Invoice to Payment Procedures. Listen here.
- Kickback: Lessons from applying a social norms approach to corruption. Listen here.
- Dark Money Files: KYC - The Canary in the Coal Mine. Listen here.
- Kickback: Cecilia Muller Torbrand on Collective Action and addressing corruption in shipping. Listen here.
Other items.
- The UK’s landmark effort to stop dirty money flowing into its real estate sector may be working. See here.
- The corruption of massive industry ‘sweeteners’ in foreign arm sales. See here.
- OFSI enforcement and monetary penalties for breaches of financial sanctions. See here.
- Message misunderstood: Why raising awareness of corruption can backfire. See here.
- The Role of Anticorruption Communications in Sustaining Integrity Reforms. See here.
- The implications of spyware and surveillance technology for anti-corruption activists. See here.
- Russians Use Tether to Send Money to the West, Evading Sanctions and KYC – Transparency International. See here.
- Repositioning the Defence and Security Sector to Strengthen Democracy in Nigeria. See here.
- Time for a rethink on whistleblower compensation in the UK to fight economic crime? See here.
4. Jobs Board
-Enablers Auditor, Bureau of Investigative Journalism, London. Apply here.
- Policy & Advocacy Coordinator – Corrupt Money Flows, Transparency International, Berlin. Apply here.
- Senior Research Fellow, Royal United Services Institute, London (hybrid). Apply here.
5. One Minute Reads
New One Minute Reads have been uploaded to the TIPS website. Please do click the link to read more – perfect for your morning/evening WFH coffee break!
6. Support TI-UK directly by joining Friends of TI-UK!
As a friend of TI-UK you will receive updates from TI-UK directly about TI-UK's ground-breaking research & advocacy campaigns. Your subscription will also support TI-UK's ongoing work across the UK, Business, Health, Defence & Security initiatives. Find out more here.
7. Focus on...
Margarita Rios
Lawyer
TIPS Network Mentee
What is your background?
I am a Chilean Lawyer and I have worked in Chile in the public sector regulation, with a focus on anti-corruption and integrity. I worked for the Chilean anti-corruption agency (Contraloría General de la República) for five years, before moving to the UK.
Why did you get involved with TIPS?
I have recently finished my MA in Corruption and Governance at the University of Sussex and I am looking forward to putting my experience and knowledge to good use. Although I do have experience in the anti-corruption field abroad, it has been difficult to find ways to put my knowledge and skills into practice here in the UK. The TIPS mentorship programme represents a unique opportunity for me to connect and engage with professionals in the anti-corruption field and seek advice on how to build up my career in the area.
Connect with Margarita on LinkedIn.
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