SFO boss' £400k 'golden goodbye' deemed irregular

Jenna Towler
clock

Pension and severance payments totalling £412,000 handed to the former chief executive of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) have been ruled "irregular" by the National Audit Office (NAO).

The NAO qualified the department's audit after the voluntary redundancy payments were disclosed. Former SFO boss Phillippa Williamson left in April, however, there is no evidence that due process was followed in her voluntary redundancy process, including investigating if there was a suitable position for her in the civil service. Some £407,000 was paid into her civil service pension to cover all additional costs arising from the early departure. However, approval from the Cabinet Office was not sought. Williamson was also handed £15,000 but required Treasury permission was also no...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Regulation

FCA's data reporting cuts: 'A start but fairly low hanging fruit'

FCA's data reporting cuts: 'A start but fairly low hanging fruit'

Impact is yet to be determined but a positive step, commentators say

Isabel Baxter
clock 29 April 2025 • 4 min read
FCA proposes to cut down on data reporting for firms

FCA proposes to cut down on data reporting for firms

Part of regulator’s programme to ‘reduce burden’

Isabel Baxter
clock 16 April 2025 • 2 min read
FCA pumps £3.7m into advice/guidance boundary review work

FCA pumps £3.7m into advice/guidance boundary review work

Come as the regulator proposes to increase fees by 2.5%

Isabel Baxter
clock 08 April 2025 • 3 min read