Ben Johnson

Ben Johnson is a Senior Managing Director at Ankura, based in London. A forensic accountant and investigations expert, he specialises in complex, high-stakes disputes and investigations.

He is regularly instructed by leading law firms, multinational corporates, sporting organisations, regulators and enforcement agencies on matters involving allegations of accounting fraud, financial misstatement, bribery and corruption and financial crime.

Ben is widely recognised for his ability to present complex financial issues with clarity in contentious investigations, civil and criminal proceedings, international arbitration and before regulatory tribunals, through the preparation of written reports and delivery of expert testimony.

With more than 25 years of experience, Ben has led complex forensic accounting and investigations matters across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, Asia and Australia.

His experience spans multi-jurisdictional engagements involving regulatory breaches, audit-related issues, alleged misconduct and financial reporting concerns, with particular sector experience in sports, financial services, retail and technology.

He works closely with legal counsel and regulators to establish factual findings, build robust evidential records and provide independent expert evidence.

Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

Member and Immediate Past Chairman of the Academy of Experts

Forensic Accounting expert for claimants in audit negligence proceedings in the English High Court against the Big-4 auditor of a London listed healthcare group. Testified in UK High Court.

Accounting expert for the Premier League in proceedings against a member club for breach of financial regulations. Testified before independent tribunal.

Led the forensic accounting investigation for a sporting body into allegations of improper accounting and breaches of financial regulations by a member organisation over a multi-year period.

Led a multi-disciplinary team providing assistance to the Cyprus attorney general with a criminal investigation into potential offences in the Cypriot banking sector in the years leading up to the “bail-in” of Cyprus banks. Provided expert testimony in Cypriot Courts.

Led the European investigation on behalf of independent counsel to the audit committee of a U.S.-listed global technology company into accounting irregularities discovered in the UK division.

Led multiple investigations for accountancy regulators including the FRC into the conduct of company directors and auditors in public interest enforcement cases involving potential financial misstatement and accounting malpractice.