Corporate Investigations
Suspected wrongdoing that threatens the business itself, executive misconduct, conflicts of interest, insider threats, information misuse and third-party concerns.
Our services
GSA Global provides independent investigation services to organisations, boards, legal advisers, HR teams, compliance functions and other professional advisers dealing with complex, sensitive or high-risk concerns. Clients may approach us with a clearly defined allegation, such as suspected fraud, misconduct or a whistleblowing concern, or with a less certain situation where something does not appear right but the facts, individuals involved and potential exposure are not yet clear. External support may also be appropriate where senior personnel are involved, internal independence could be questioned or specialist investigative capability is required. We help clients define what needs to be investigated, identify and preserve relevant evidence and bring together the appropriate investigative, intelligence and technical expertise. Our work is focused on establishing a clear and objective factual picture so that the organisation and its advisers can determine the appropriate next steps.
Organisations usually seek external investigators in one of two situations. The first is a defined allegation: a whistleblowing report, a grievance against a senior individual, a suspected fraud, that must be examined fairly and answered. The second is less defined: a pattern of concerns or an anomaly where the facts, the scale and the exposure are not yet clear. GSA works on both. Where the position is unclear, an initial scoping phase is often the most valuable step. Independence is often the reason we are appointed: internal teams may be conflicted, too close to the individuals involved, or without the capacity or investigative experience the matter demands. Our clients include boards and audit committees, general counsel, HR leaders, compliance and risk functions, investors, insurers, solicitors and other professional advisers, and government and regulated organisations. Many instructions come through legal advisers, and sensitive matters are often coordinated with them so that legal, disclosure and employment considerations can be addressed appropriately.
GSA’s investigation work is overseen by senior practitioners and delivered by teams assembled for each assignment. In outline:
Senior investigation leadership. David Wood, Group Chief Executive Officer, and Bob Quick QPM, Managing Director, provide senior oversight of complex and sensitive investigations, drawing on careers leading national-level policing operations against organised crime and corruption.
Counterintelligence and insider risk. Howard Nichol, Director of Operations, brings counterintelligence and insider-threat experience from a 30-year Army career concluding as the Army’s Head of Counterintelligence and Security.
OSINT, due diligence and integrity enquiries. Ellen Davies, Lead Open-Source Investigator, leads GSA’s open-source investigation casework. Michael Handley, Managing Director of Security Vetting, advises on background investigation and the boundary between screening and investigative due diligence.
Cyber and technical support. Mark Raeburn, Director of Cyber Security and Resilience, provides strategic direction where investigations intersect with cyber incidents; Anthony Dickinson, Technical Director for Cyber, oversees the technical work supporting relevant investigations and coordinates appropriate internal or specialist resources.
Dr Brian Moore QPM contributes where whistleblowing or wider organisational risk is material.
Suspected wrongdoing that threatens the business itself, executive misconduct, conflicts of interest, insider threats, information misuse and third-party concerns.
Impartial fact-finding into allegations of misconduct, bullying, harassment, grievances and whistleblowing concerns, conducted alongside your HR and employment-law advisers.
Investigation and evidence development under the direction of solicitors and counsel where a private prosecution is being assessed or conducted.
Find out more about Private Prosecution Investigation Support
Investigator-led research on the people and companies behind significant decisions, going beyond database screening.
GSA delivers targeted fraud investigations, financial investigations, and regulatory investigations across the UK and globally. Our team uncovers financial crime, internal fraud, bribery, corruption, financial irregularities, and compliance breaches through forensic analysis, evidence review, and discreet intelligence-led enquiries.
Structured investigation of publicly and lawfully available information – corporate records, online activity, imagery and networks, captured for evidential use.
Find out more about OSINT and Digital Footprint Investigations
In a limited set of corporate investigations, lawful physical observation may be considered where a defined question cannot reasonably be answered through less intrusive methods.
GSA Global’s experience in managing major crises underpins our ability to advise Boards and senior leadership on resilience strategy, crisis planning, and post incident recovery. We support organisations before, during, and after high impact events, strengthening preparedness and guiding decisive action under pressure. We deliver robust testing of crisis management, business continuity, and recovery arrangements to ensure leadership teams are ready for complex scenarios. When additional capacity is required, GSA can rapidly deploy vetted, highly skilled personnel across risk management, safeguarding, stakeholder engagement, complex case handling, and multi agency coordination. GSA also provides managed assessment and identity control services, having mobilised large scale teams to meet urgent government requirements for identity verification and security vetting. These capabilities draw on our experience leading complex security operations and our network of trusted partners and specialists.
Find out more about our Crisis Management Response & Incident Management
If your organisation is facing misconduct, fraud, due diligence concerns, reputational risk or a complex incident, GSA can provide discreet, independent investigation services. Contact us to discuss the matter in confidence.
No two investigations follow an identical path. What is consistent is a framework that keeps the work controlled, fair and useful:
We work extensively with financial services firms, legal and professional services advisers, government and public administration clients, and technology organisations, alongside family offices and private clients. Investigation work frequently sits alongside GSA’s insider risk and cyber practices.
GSA Global was asked to do an Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) investigation following a concern that someone impersonating the client had contacted people via email and on fake Instagram accounts offering them discounted photo shoots and explicit photos. The scammer also asked them to wire money into their bank account to take the offer. The client inquired if there was anything the GSA Global could do to help track and stop the imposter.
GSA delivers a full range of investigation services, including workplace investigations, corporate investigations, due diligence, fraud and financial investigations, OSINT and digital investigations, surveillance, and crisis response.
When internal impartiality could reasonably be questioned; when the matter involves senior individuals or the people who would normally investigate; when specialist skills or capacity are lacking; or when the outcome may face legal, regulatory or public scrutiny.
Yes, and we frequently do. Many investigations are instructed by or coordinated with solicitors. We do not provide legal advice; we provide the investigative work that legal and HR advisers rely on.
Depending on the case, GSA may gather evidence, documentation, digital evidence, financial analysis, and surveillance findings. Our approach ensures information is accurate, defensible, and usable for HR, legal, or regulatory processes.
Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) enhances investigations by analysing publicly available information such as social media and online activity, corporate and public records, media reporting, and risk databases. It helps uncover hidden risks, connections, and behavioural patterns, supporting more informed decision-making.
Costs will vary depending on the complexity of the investigation. GSA provides clear, cost effective solutions, with estimates agreed in advance before any work begins.
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