Mark Beardsworth

Mark is a Partner at our London office specialising in investigations and white collar crime.

Mark has a 25-year track record of successful representations of individuals and corporates in many major Serious Fraud Office investigations, including IKEA, BAE Systems, Rolls Royce, LIBOR/EURIBOR, Forex, Independent Insurance, G4S Serco, Sweett Group, Barclays Qatar and Tysers Integro. He has also advised clients in relation to major prosecutions brought by the Financial Conduct Authority, HM Revenue and Customs, and the Financial Reporting Council.

Mark has very significant experience in conducting corporate internal investigations for clients that operate across a range of industries including financial services, education, energy and infrastructure and sports and retail. He advises corporates on governance, compliance, management systems and controls, as well as on implementing policies. Mark also advises in relation to risk and governance during key corporate events including M&A and distressed situations.

Much of his work involves clients facing scrutiny internationally and in complex “parallel proceedings” involving civil and regulatory litigation.

Mark has been ranked in the leading legal directories for white collar crime for over 15 years. He is a recognised expert for both individuals and corporates and is Band 1 ranked in the Chambers UK 2026 Guide for Financial Crime: Individuals, where he is described as an “excellent lawyer with a proven track record of successfully managing international cases across multiple jurisdictions.” He is also praised for being a “personable, well connected and a brilliant lawyer.” In the 2024 Chambers High Net Worth Guide, Mark is ranked for Financial Crime: High Net Worth Individuals – the Guide notes he is “experienced in acting for high-net-worth clients under investigation and facing allegations of financial crime.” In The Legal 500 UK 2026 Guide, Mark is ranked as a Leading Partner for both Fraud: White Collar Crime and Regulatory Investigations and Corporate Crime.

Mark is Chair of the American Bar Association (ABA) International White Collar Crime Committee, the first non-American citizen to hold such a post, and he is an honorary member of AIJA, The International association of Young Lawyers having served on their Executive for many years.

He is also the author and Editor of numerous books and articles including the successful ABA Publication “An International Guide to Corporate Internal Investigations”.