Annabel Kerley
People

Annabel Kerley

Partner

Areas of expertise

Corporate fraud investigations, asset tracing, bribery and corruption investigations, criminal defence, Proceeds of Crime Act, regulatory investigations, private prosecutions, sanctions, anti-bribery and corruption, DPA monitorships

Experience

Annabel has over 20 years’ experience as a forensic accountant and investigator. She acts for both claimants and defendants in civil, criminal and regulatory matters involving allegations of fraud, bribery and corruption.
During her career, Annabel has helped clients across multiple sectors (including financial services, retail, healthcare and technology and media) navigate high-stakes investigations into complex multi-million cross-border fraud, bribery and corruption cases.  
These investigations have involved asset misappropriation, employee misconduct, financial misstatement, sanctions breaches, market abuse and misleading statements in civil, regulatory and criminal contexts and in multiple jurisdictions.
In addition, Annabel has extensive experience of private prosecutions, including acting as an expert witness in the Criminal Court, and is currently Chair of the Private Prosecutors’ Association. 
She also has extensive experience in DPA monitorships, having led the Compliance and Anti-Financial Crime workstreams for the Department of Justice / SEC-appointed monitor to a global bank subject to a deferred prosecution agreement. 
Annabel regularly publishes thought leadership and speaks at conferences and to law firms and regulators on fraud investigation, asset-tracing and whistleblowing.
 

Notable client work and achievements

  • Instructed by the legal counsel to a sovereign state to investigate allegations concerning a multi-million dollar fraud stretching back 30 years
  • Led large-scale investigation into alleged breaches of regulatory sanctions by the UK operations of a Middle Eastern bank providing trade finance 
  • In a global asset tracing case, scrutinised banking and accounting data to identify assets recoverable from a $65 billion Ponzi scheme
  • When working for the FCA, Annabel was the lead investigator into a complex, international insider dealing ring

Professional qualifications/memberships

Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales
Graduate Diploma in Law
Chair of the Private Prosecutors’ Association
Advisory Panel member of the Association of Corporate Investigators
Secretary of the London chapter of the Women in White Collar Defence Association
Gettyimages 2209040571

Article

ISA 240 and Failure To Prevent Fraud: What organisations need to do now

The UK’s Failure to Prevent Fraud offence, in force since 1 September 2025, has sharpened the focus on how organisations identify, assess and manage fraud risk. At the same time, auditors’ responsibilities under ISA 240 have continued to evolve, increasing scrutiny. Is your organisation prepared?

Chris Osborne at desk

Article

More than just the numbers: S&W builds its forensic services practice

Technology may be changing forensic services, but it remains a deeply human discipline, explains the new co-Head of S&W’s forensic services. For better or worse, it’s people who make the difference.

Contact Annabel