UK’s Serious Fraud Office appoints interim boss

LONDON, Feb 26 (Reuters) – Graham McNulty will take over as interim director to lead investigators and prosecutors in early April, Britain’s Serious Fraud Office said on Thursday.

McNulty, a former senior police officer who joined the SFO as chief operations officer in September 2024, will take over from Nick Ephgrave, who retires after two-and-a-half years in the role, on April 6.

“It is a tremendous privilege to lead the Serious Fraud Office,” said ⁠McNulty, adding that he aims to build on the progress made recently at the agency.

McNulty oversaw the rollout of the SFO’s first case management system and the adoption of new technologies, including increased use. artificial intelligence.

Before joining the force he spent 31 years in policing, including senior roles in serious and organized crime, economic crime and major investigations.

A spokesman for the attorney general’s office said McNulty will remain in office until a permanent appointment is made, which will be announced in due course.

Ephgrave, who is not the first lawyer to lead the SFO and is also a former senior police officer, said in January that he would retire at the end of March after 38 years of public service.

When he took over at the SFO he was facing criticism for investigations being stalled due to disclosure failures.

He noted that the agency has made significant progress during his tenure, with cases being faster, better disclosure using artificial intelligence and crypto asset capability being created.

(Reporting by Sam Tabahriti; Additional reporting by Kirstin Ridley; Editing by Jane Merriman)