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Ian Ryan

Partner, Head of Business Crime and Regulatory

Primary Expertise

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"Ian Ryan.
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Ian Ryan is a breath of fresh air, bright and streetwise, and has good judgement. He is a heavyweight.

Chambers uk 2026
About

Ian is head of the firm's well-regarded Business Crime team which is ranked in both the Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 direcotries. He is individually listed in Band 1 for financial crime in Chambers directory and HNW directory and in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame for Crime General and Fraud: White Collar Crime. Ian is also ranked in Lexology as a thought leader for Business Crime Defence (Individuals) and is highly recommended for Investigations and for Business Crime (Corporates). He is also listed in Spears 500 (2026) as a top recommended complex and serious fraud lawyer. 

He is presently acting for Ramon Labiaga in the Glencore bribery trial due to start at Southwark CC in October 2027; suspects in the SFO Ultra (just concluded) and Greensill investigations; a well known musician in a sexual assault matter; and an international defence and security company in inquest and related proceedings.

He recently successfully acted for:

  • A suspect in the CPS/HMRC investigation into the activities of GVC/Entain in the Turkish gambling market
  • Tyron Frampton aka SlowThai in a sexual offences trial
  • Tennis world number 3 Alexander Zverev in an ATP investigation into an alleged assault
  • A premier league and international footballer in an assault matter
  • And other individuals that cannot be identified due to the sensitive nature of their cases
  • He is also presently representing another well known individual in relation to a sexual offences matter.

Ian acts in SFO, FCA, CMA, NCA, CPS, police and SRA investigations. His clients are typically: corporates; boards of directors, CEOs, senior executives, non-executive directors, General Counsel, compliance and risk officers, financial directors and money-laundering reporting officers.

  • Ian acted for News International head of security Mark Hanna in the phone hacking trial in 2014 (acquitted)
  • Senior trader Achim Kraemer in the first SFO Euribor trial in 2018 (acquitted)
  • Head trader Andreas Hauschild in the third SFO Euribor trial in 2019 (acquitted)
  • Baker McKenzie head of HR Martin Backburn in the Gary Senior SDT hearing in 2020 (acquitted)
  • Iconic fashion brand Supreme in a successful private prosecution in 2021
  • A Middle Eastern bank successfully defending a private prosecution in 2021 (case dismissed and defence awarded costs of £250,000)
  • And for NGB British Gymnastics in the Whyte Review (reported July 2022).

He has also been involved in many other high profile SFO investigations including Rolls Royce, Tesco, Harlequin and Tchenguiz.

In addition to the above, Ian advises corporate clients, including solicitor's firms, on cybercrime issues, production orders, dawn raids, confiscation proceedings, warrants and the extent of legal professional privilege. He has represented both multi-nationals and individuals in a number of internal investigations.

He is an expert in solicitors' disciplinary work and SRA investigations, having previously prosecuted for the SRA for over 15 years. He acts for individual solicitors, including many at magic circle firms, and solicitor's firms at all stages of the proceedings, particularly on issues of self-reporting.

Ian is also a specialist in money laundering matters. He is currently a member of the Law Society's Economic crime and regulatory compliance directory for AML and proceeds of crime compliance, providing ad hoc advice to solicitors and solicitor's firms . He is retained by a number of solicitors and other professional firms to provide AML and regulatory advice. He was also previously a member of the Law Society's Money Laundering Taskforce.

Ian also continues to represent high-net-worth individuals (celebrities, politicians, artists, journalists and sports people) in general criminal matters. As a result of his recent work with a national governing body of sport, he has specialist safeguarding experience.

Due to the high profile nature of many of his clients Ian's cases can be sensitive and confidential and he works closely with the firm's reputation management team to ensure clients' privacy is protected.

Ian is a proud Trustee of the Schools Consent Project; sits on the England Hockey Disciplinary Complaints panel; and is a member of the Sport Resolutions legal advice panel giving advice to sports National Governing Bodies.

Emergency contact: 07802 613477

SFO experience

Ian is currently acting for suspects or significant individuals in the following SFO matters:

• Ramon Labiaga in the Glencore bribery trial due to start at Southwark Crown Court in June 2027.

• A suspect in the SFO Ultra investigation (recently concluded with no charges).

• A suspect in the Greensill investigation.

He has previously acted in the following SFO matters:

• Successfully defended Achim Kramer in the first SFO Euribor trial at Southwark Crown Court in 2018.

• Successfully defended Andreas Hauschild in the third SFO Euribor trial at Southwark Crown Court in 2019.

• Successfully acted for two senior executives at Tesco in its internal investigation, the subsequent SFO investigation, and during the trial process and its aftermath (2014-2021).

• Acted for the ex- CEO of a Colombian subsidiary of JLT Speciality Ltd in a joint SFO/DOJ investigation into allegations of bribery and money laundering in Ecuador.

• Successfully advised the CEO of Patisserie Valerie in relation to the SFO investigation into serious accounting irregularities.

He has also acted for individuals or suspects in the following matters:

• Rolls Royce

• ENRC

• GPT

• Harlequin

• GSK

• Vincent Tchenguiz (on his arrest by the SFO and subsequent search of his business premises )

• Representing a number of senior individuals in the SFO Amec Foster Wheeler investigation into alleged bribery and corruption in the oil and gas sector (related to the Unaoil and Petrofac investigations).

• Afren

• Torex

Other Work

• Successfully acted for iconic streetwear brand Supreme (2021) in a private prosecution for counterfeiting (also at Southwark CC) that resulted in the conviction and significant prison sentences for all the defendants.

• Successfully defended Martin Blackburn (2020) in the high profile Gary Senior hearing at the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.

• Acted for News International Head of Security Mark Hanna who was acquitted of perverting the course of justice in the Rebecca Brooks' phone hacking trial at the Old Bailey (2014).

• Advising two magic circle partners in separate sexual misconduct SRA investigations, both of which were dropped by the SRA at an early stage.

• An ex-magic circle partner in an SRA investigation.

• Successfully representing a well-known solicitor in an SRA investigation, regarding allegations of breaches of confidentiality. The allegations were dropped after detailed representations.

• Successfully defending a Middle Eastern bank in a private prosecution for alleged offences of fraud. The case was dismissed at Southwark CC and the private prosecutor agreed to pay the bank's costs of £200,000.

• Advising and representing the Managing Director of a well-known demolition company in the CMA's ongoing investigation into the supply of construction services.

• Advising the CEO of a well-known retail company in a CMA merger investigation.

• Advising and representing the Managing Director of a well-known company in an internal investigation into bribery and corruption.

Recent work

Ian has many years' experience of preparing and winning trials. His recent experience includes a number of high-profile cases:

  • Successfully defended Achim Kramer (2018) and Andreas Hauschild (2019) in the SFO Euribor trials at Southwark Crown Court.
  • Successfully defended Martin Blackburn (2020) in the high profile Gary Senior hearing at the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
  • Successfully acted for iconic streetwear brand Supreme (2021) in a private prosecution for counterfeiting (also at Southwark CC) that resulted in the conviction and significant prison sentences for all the defendants.

Ian has also acted on the following:

  • Advising two magic circle partners in separate sexual misconduct SRA investigations, both of which were dropped by the SRA at an early stage.
  • Advising an ex-magic circle partner in an ongoing SRA investigation.
  • Successfully representing a well-known solicitor in an SRA investigation, regarding allegations of breaches of confidentiality. The allegations were dropped after detailed representations.
  • Successfully defending a Middle Eastern bank in a private prosecution for alleged offences of fraud. The case was dismissed at Southwark CC and the private prosecutor agreed to pay the bank's costs of £200,000.
  • Advising and representing the Managing Director of a well-known demolition company in the CMA's ongoing investigation into the supply of construction services.
  • Advising the CEO of a well-known retail company in a CMA merger investigation.
  • Advising a senior executive at Patisserie Valerie in relation to the ongoing SFO investigation into serious accounting irregularities.
  • Advising and representing the Managing Director of a well-known company in an internal investigation into bribery and corruption.
  • Representing a number of senior individuals in the SFO Amec Foster Wheeler investigation into alleged bribery and corruption in the oil and gas sector (related to the Unaoil and Petrofac investigations).

 

Accolades

    2026

    • Ranked in Band 1, Financial Crime: Individuals, Chambers UK 2026
    • Ranked in Band 2, Professional Discipline, Chambers UK 2026
    • Ranked in Band 1, Financial Crime: HNWI, Chambers HNW 2026
    • Listed in the Hall of Fame, Crime: General, Legal 500 2026
    • Listed in the Hall of Fame, Fraud: White Collar Crime, Legal 500 2026
    • Listed as a Leading Partner, Private Prosecutions, Legal 500 2026
    • Listed as a Thought Leader in the Lexology Index, Business Crime Defence – Individuals 2026
    • Recommended by the Lexology Index for Business Crime Defence – Corporates 2026
    • Recommended by the Lexology Index for Investigations 2026
    • Listed as a Thought Leader by the Lexology Index, GIR – Business Crime Defence – Individuals 2026
    • "Ian Ryan is a breath of fresh air, bright and streetwise, and has good judgement. He is a heavyweight." Chambers UK 2026
    • "He is a decisive and efficient lawyer who doesn't procrastinate and gives good, clear advice which is appreciated." Chambers UK 2026
    • "Ian is experienced, has a no-nonsense approach and tackles issues head on." Chambers UK 2026
    • "Ian Ryan is a very capable lawyer, especially for solicitors cases." Chambers UK 2026
    • "Ian Ryan is a thorough and dedicated lawyer." Chambers UK 2026
    • "Ian Ryan is regarded across the industry as a leading light in the area of advice and representation for high net worth clients. He brings his extensive experience and shrewdness to every case." Chambers HNW 2026
    • "Ian is a very experienced and technically strong lawyer who puts his clients' interests first." Chambers HNW 2026
    • "Ian Ryan is an excellent and inspirational operator with a wealth of experience." Chambers HNW 2026
    • "I am impressed with Ian Ryan, who is tough and resourceful." Legal 500 2026

    2025

    • Ranked Band 1, Financial Crime: Individuals, Chambers UK 2025
    • Ranked Band 2, Financial Crime: Private Prosecutions, Chambers UK 2025
    • Ranked Band 2, Professional Discipline, Chambers UK 2025
    • Ranked in Band 2, Financial Crime: HNWI, Chambers HNW 2025
    • Listed as Hall of Fame, Crime General, Legal 500 2025
    • Listed as Leading Partner, Fraud: White-Collar Crime, Legal 500 2025
    • Listed as Leading Partner, Private Prosecutions, Legal 500 2025
    • Top Recommended, Criminal Law & White Collar Crime Index, Spear's 2025
    • "Ian Ryan is a hugely influential figure in this area. He has a formidable reputation and never disappoints." Legal 500 2025
    • "Ian Ryan brings a wealth of experience to his work in this field. His strategic thinking and judgment are second to none." Legal 500 2025
    • "He's strategically sound, wise, smart and gets successful conclusions." Chambers UK 2025
    • "Ian is a very shrewd and massively experienced practitioner." Chambers UK 2025
    • "He's a long-standing, hugely experienced practitioner." Chambers UK 2025
    • "He's well known for being very good." Chambers UK 2025
    • "He's always been someone you go to when you're in trouble. He's strategically sound, wise, smart and gets successful conclusions. He's absolutely at the top of the field." Chambers UK 2025
    • "Ian occupies the space of a regulatory lawyer and criminal lawyer. It's a really crucial overlap of expertise he's got. He's so experienced and you can't faze him." Chambers UK 2025
    • "Ian Ryan is a very impressive prosecutor." Chambers UK 2025
    • "Ian is brilliant." Chambers UK 2025
    • "He's very direct and to the point; we really like his approach." Chambers UK 2025
    • "Ian is straightforward and easy to work with. He takes the commercial aspects of the matter into account in his responses and suggested actions." Chambers UK 2025

    Ian has been ranked in Chambers UK for 29 years.

Did you know?

Ian is very proud to be a trustee of the amazing Schools Consent Project which recently partnered with Jodie Comer during the sellout run of Prima Facie.

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