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Nick Stroud, a long-serving forensic accountant at the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), has been awarded an OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours list for his work tackling economic crime and mentoring future investigators.
Stroud, who joined the SFO in 1992, was praised for his “exceptional expertise and collaborative approach”, according to SFO director Nick Ephgrave.
His career has included developing key tools such as the Deferred Prosecution Agreement, which allows prosecutors to hold companies to account while returning funds to the public purse.
He has also led work on investigating crypto-assets and established the SFO’s accountancy apprenticeship scheme, creating solid foundations to ensure accountancy “remains central to serious economic crime investigation”.
Stroud, who lost his sight during his career, said: “I feel intensely proud to accept this award which recognises the contribution of accountancy professionals to the SFO’s complex investigations.
“Having initially found it difficult to accept my own disability I am pleased this award shows those with disabilities can make valuable contributions, demonstrating there should be no barrier to collaborative working.”
Ephgrave added: “Nick’s exceptional expertise and collaborative approach have been instrumental in bringing justice to thousands of victims of economic crime.
“His dedication to developing the next generation of forensic accountants through our apprenticeship scheme demonstrates his commitment to ensuring the UK remains a safe place to do business.”
