Mr Ian Thompson
Forensic Accountant
TAE Accreditations
- Expert Witness
Qualifications
- MA Classics (1997)
- Member of the ICAEW ACA (2002)
- Associate Member of The Academy of Experts PAm (2009)
- Fellow of the ICAEW FCA (2013)
Expert Witness Snapshot
Ian Thompson is a managing director in the FTI Consulting Forensic and Litigation Consulting practice and is based in London. For the past 15 years, Mr Thompson has undertaken financial investigations, litigation and dispute advisory work, insolvency, auditing, due diligence and corporate finance assignments.He has worked full time on forensic engagements for over 10 years, and is generally instructed amidst allegations of large-scale misappropriation or other irregularity. His geographical focus tends to be Russia, the CIS and offshore.
Mr Thompson has given evidence in the High Court in London and the Commercial Court in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), and has been cross-examined by a top-ranked Silk. He was based in the BVI for 3 years, establishing a presence in this important offshore centre.
A key part of the London team acting on behalf of the US trustee for the liquidation of a financial services company following the collapse of an alleged $65 billion Ponzi scheme, Mr Thompson has extensive experience of global asset tracing.
Mr Thompson recently worked on an investigation in relation to a high profile divorce, acting for the wife in the tracing of assets said to be worth in the region of £400 million to £1 billion. The judge referred to FTI "setting out pitilessly in a preliminary expose the scale of [the Husband]'s non-compliance in his replies."
Mr Thompson assisted the BVI and Bermudian governments with a complex, multi-jurisdictional investigation in relation to allegations of money laundering. He investigated the activities of numerous Bermudian entities, leading to their liquidation. He undertook extensive analysis of the nature of their business, ownership, compliance with laws and regulations, and the source and destination of their funds. The investigation led to the confiscation of just over $45 million in the BVI.
Mr Thompson was previously seconded to the former Department of Trade and Industry in the UK, where he undertook numerous company investigations. Twelve companies were wound up in the public interest and two directors disqualified. Two of the winding up orders were made following evidence Mr Thompson gave in the High Court, where he was described by the late Mr Justice Pumfrey as "in all respects a careful, reliable and truthful witness."
Mr Thompson's other forensic experience includes accounting malpractice, general & commercial litigation, post acquisition disputes, securities litigation and valuation.
Mr Thompson previously worked for a London audit firm. Prior to this, Mr Thompson worked in corporate finance for a leading investment bank.