Director addresses global anti-corruption conference

Graham McNulty sets out the SFO's ambitions to be a more proactive enforcer and a stronger ally for responsible businesses in New York speech.

Speaking in New York at the Global Anti-Corruption, Ethics and Compliance Conference on 3 June 2026, Director of the Serious Fraud Office Graham McNulty set out the organisation’s priorities and ambitions.

These focus on three areas, the SFO’s commitment to working with responsible corporates, its plans to become a more active enforcer, and its role as a leading player in the international justice system.

The speech highlighted the SFO’s revised corporate cooperation guidance, the recently agreed Deferred Prosecution Agreement with Ultra Electronics, and plans to strengthen intelligence capabilities, increase the use of surveillance, and incentivise whistleblowers.

The Director also underlined the SFO’s close working relationships with international partners, including the US Department of Justice and the newly established anti-corruption prosecutorial taskforce with France and Switzerland.

It’s a real privilege to have the opportunity to speak at the Global Anti-Corruption, Ethics and Compliance Conference here in New York.

It’s just over a month since His Majesty The King was here.

That state visit was a reminder that the United Kingdom and the United States are bound not only by history but by a shared commitment to the rule of law.

For those of us in law enforcement, that commitment is operational: corruption, fraud and illicit finance move seamlessly across jurisdictions and so must our response.

I am approaching my 35th year in law enforcement and I can look back over decades of co-operation with a plethora of US law enforcement agencies, who have always come to my aid, shared intelligence, evidence and friendship to get difficult and sometimes dangerous operations over the line.

I cannot name them all but my particular thanks go to the FBI, Homeland Security, the DEA and of course the Department of Justice.