The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has named an accountant as its interim director, pending a permanent appointment to replace the outgoing head, marking the first time in its 30-year history that the agency has not been led by a lawyer
Mark Thompson, an accountant and currently the SFO’s chief operating officer will take on the role of interim director from 21 April.
The current director, David Green, is set to leave the SFO on 20 April following six years as director. Following a Civil Service Commission led process, a preferred candidate has been selected by the Attorney General to lead the SFO.
However, the next head will not be taking up the role until later this year. According to a statement from the Attorney General’s office, ‘they are currently undertaking the final stages of the appointment process and managing their exit from their current position. We will make an announcement in due course.’
Thompson said: ‘The search for a new director has been successful, although the individual cannot take up the post immediately.
‘In the meantime it’s important that the SFO pursues its cases with vigour and discharges its legal and corporate obligations responsibly. My role will be to ensure we continue to do this, and to ensure a smooth transition when the new director arrives.’
Thompson joined the SFO in 2004. He headed the SFO’s proceeds of crime division from 2012 to 2016 and became its chief finance officer in May 2015.
Prior to joining the SFO, Thompson started his career as a police officer with the Metropolitan Police before qualifying as a chartered accountant in 1997 and working for the National Audit Office and KPMG Forensic.
The Attorney General, Jeremy Wright, said: ‘I am grateful to Mark for taking on the role of interim director of the SFO. Mark has a wealth of experience in tackling corruption and economic crime and he is well placed to lead the SFO effectively at such a crucial time.
‘He will continue to work closely with the SFO’s experienced general counsel, Alun Milford.’
Report by Pat Sweet
