TIPS Newsletter | October 2026 - TI-UK: Annual Impact Report and Accounts 2025-26
Dear TIPS member,
In October 2026, Transparency International UK (TI-UK) published its Annual Impact Report which assesses the shifting landscape of political and financial integrity in Britain. Set against the backdrop of the UK’s historic low score on the global Corruption Perceptions Index, the publication outlines the organisation’s ongoing initiatives to combat cronyism and push for robust, systemic transparency across government institutions.
Core focus areas and findings include:
The report underscores critical vulnerabilities in the management of public resources. It specifically points to lingering transparency issues in government procurement and the ongoing need to safeguard public funds against political favouritism.
Although the government has rolled out frameworks such as the UK Anti-Corruption Strategy and an Ethics and Integrity Commission, TI-UK cautions that this body currently lacks the statutory teeth needed for real enforcement. Crucial structural reforms, such as strict caps on political donations, remain unaddressed.
The path forward: Looking ahead, TI-UK outlines a clear agenda for reform. The organisation is actively campaigning to remove "big money" from British politics, close regulatory loopholes exploited by professional enablers of money laundering, and secure fully transparent beneficial ownership data from Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories to prevent illicit wealth from being hidden in the UK.
- the TIPS team
1. Upcoming Events (register on our Events page)
TIPS Talk | Known Unknowns: Decisions with Incomplete Information
24 November 2026, 6:30-8:30pm, Meta Kings Cross, London (Details here)
Real-world due diligence decisions rarely come with a complete picture. Organisations are often making high-stakes decisions with fragmented information, complex ownership structures, conflicting signals and new information emerging after a decision has already been made. Through a fun, interactive workshop attendees will roleplay decision making in high-stakes scenarios.
AMLP Forum | 15th Annual Anti-Bribery & Corruption Forum
11 November 2026, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, London (Hybrid) (Details here)
UK Finance | Economic Crime Congress 2026 - Leading the Collective Response to a Global Threat
3 December 2026, QEII Conference Centre Broad Sanctuary, London (Details here)
2. Recent Events
TIPS Talk | Ethics Across Borders: Modern Slavery and Corruption in Supply Chains | 27 October | London
On 27 October, TIPS Network hosted a diverse group of experts at Moody's Corporation to examine the critical intersection of modern slavery and supply chain corruption. The panel featured Aisling Twomey, Director of Financial Crime at Monzo; Lise Smit, Business and Human Rights Advisor at Norton Rose Fulbright; Peter Nestor, Head of Human Rights at Novartis; and Dame Sara Thornton, Professor of Modern Slavery Policy at the Rights Lab.
The conversation moved beyond theoretical risk registers to ground the issue in human reality, exploring the interconnection between labour exploitation, and the cross-border corruption that enables it. Panellists tackled complex challenges surrounding corporate data sharing, questioning how organisations can responsibly share intelligence to disrupt exploitation and debating the legal, technological, and trust barriers currently hindering progress.
We extend our gratitude to Moody’s Corporation for hosting the evening, to Ethixbase360 for sponsoring the networking drinks, and to Natasha Martin for moderating the discussion.
3. Jobs Board
Director of Product, AML & Fraud Prevention, Vinted, London (Hybrid).
Lead Analyst for Services and Fraud Group, Department for Work and Pensions, England (multiple locations). Apply here
Senior Consultant, Supply Chain & Operations, EY (London). Apply here
4. Items of Interest
TI Publications
Concerning Developments: Money laundering risks in new-build property. Read here.
Protecting civic space in extractives governance: Towards enhanced EITI engagement on civic space. Read here.
TI Blogs and News
New homes, dirty money: who’s really buying Britain’s new-builds? Read here.
Three in ten public contracts still unpublished under new transparency law. See here.
Anti-corruption gaps are leaving democracy in Europe exposed. See here.
Crypto is just one channel: How Russia launders corrupt wealth past sanctions. See here.
Podcasts
Tax Justice Network’s The Taxcast: Modernising the global tax system. Listen here.
The Lever Masterplan: The Inside Story of Citizens United. Listen here.
Other items
UK government met 137 businesses over AI datacentres – but no environmental groups. See here.
Press release: London gold market faces landmark High Court challenge over “responsible” gold claims. See here.
UK: Businesses and civil society urge government to adopt mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence legislation. See here.
Top UK graft prosecutors joined Trump’s Venezuela oil baron during Swiss probe. See here.
CPS secures its second-ever Unexplained Wealth Order against British nationals. See here.
BBC allegations cost Tory and Reform donor a peerage, defamation trial told. See here.
Bank of America hit with $1.2bn fine for money laundering failings. See here.
Five arrested in 1-million-euro fraud against NATO. See here.
‘Swift justice’: Student List supporters focus on cleaning up Serbia’s rotten institutions. See here.
Pizza, beer and front-page ads: How Ben Delo’s firm lured customers amid crypto crackdown. See here.
5. Focus On: Lachlan Stewart
Why did you get involved with the TIPS Network?
I was excited to get involved with Transparency International as I wanted to be part of a growing network raising awareness of corruption. My career background at Control Risks and my upcoming role at J.S. Held blend well with this space, and I am well placed to contribute to the TIPS Network’s mission. Insofar as declining societal trust between individuals and
organisations can be attributed to new, open, blatant corruption, I think this mission is essential to a better future.
Please describe your experience as part of the TIPS Network.
I've joined the TIPS Committee for the 2026–27 period and am excited to collaborate with fellow members and contribute to the network's activities. I've also signed up to assist with promotional materials and look forward to becoming more actively involved over the coming months, supporting the network's mission and helping raise awareness of corruption.
Connect with Lachlan on LinkedIn here.
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