Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence (GI ACE)

📼 Our latest GI ACE seminar, 'The promise and perils of using leaked and sensitive data to research illicit finance’, is available: bit.ly/4ciYrZI

Thank you to @szakonyi.bsky.social, Tom Mayne, and @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social.

The event was held in collaboration with the Illicit Finance Data Lab.

⛔️ The company receiving the goods having links to a company sanctioned by the US and UK, because it was seen to be “critical” to the Russian war effort

🔗 Read the working paper: bit.ly/4r8KsdP

🔗 Read about the project: bit.ly/4r4WNPZ

🔗 Read the article: www.theguardian.com/business/202...

Specifically, red flags highlighted in the paper are:

⚠️ Risks associated with dual-use goods

🇦🇲 Armenia as a high-risk jurisdiction for re-export of dual-use goods to Russia

Shadow Economies: The Rise of Illicit Networks and Alternative Markets in Sanctions Circumvention - Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence This paper examines how illicit financial flows (IFFs) in the Western Balkans and Black Sea regions have surged in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Using trade and econometric analysis, it es...

The red flags pointed to by our research were described in a recent @csdbuildbridges.bsky.social working paper, ‘Shadow Economies: The Rise of Illicit Networks and Alternative Markets in Sanctions Circumvention’, co-authored by Martin Vladimirov and Tihomira Kostova.

Experts sound alarm over UK exports to firm linked to Russian war machine Exclusive: Multimillion-pound contract raises concerns about controls designed to prevent firms unwittingly aiding destruction of Ukraine

Yesterday @theguardian.com published ‘Experts sound alarm over UK exports to firm linked to Russian war machine’, which hits on several red flags covered by GI ACE research on building institutional resilience to global illicit financial flows.

❓ “Is Peter Mandelson corrupt (assuming the allegations against him are true)?”

In a new blog, @csc-barrington.bsky.social examines this question using corruption analysis rather than focusing solely on criminal liability.

🔗 Read now: bit.ly/3M9SFz6

The promise and perils of using leaked and sensitive data to research Illicit Finance

📣 Online seminar

Join us 2pm to 3pm (GMT) tomorrow for a #GIACE seminar on using leaked and sensitive data to research illicit finance with @szakonyi.bsky.social and Tom Mayne, chaired by
@lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social.

Held in collaboration with the Illicit Finance Data Lab.

Register now 👇

🎙️ New KickBack podcast episode (Ep. 143)

@csc-barrington.bsky.social speaks with @racheldavies.bsky.social (@anticorruption.bsky.social) and Tom Shipley (CSC) to assess what the government’s UK Anti-Corruption Strategy 2025 prioritises, where it marks progress, and where gaps remain.

🎧 Listen:
SoundCloud: bit.ly/SoundcloudKB...
Apple: bit.ly/AppleKB143
Spotify: bit.ly/SpotifyKB143

The promise and perils of using leaked and sensitive data to research Illicit Finance

📣 Online seminar

Join us 2pm to 3pm (GMT) Thursday 5 Feb for a #GIACE seminar on using leaked and sensitive data to research illicit finance with @szakonyi.bsky.social and Tom Mayne, chaired by @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social.

Held in collaboration with the Illicit Finance Data Lab.

Register now 👇

🚨 The January 2026 edition of the GI ACE Newsletter is out now!

Inside you’ll find information about our latest publications, events, blogs, podcasts, and more.

🔗 Read this month’s newsletter: bit.ly/3LXvojB

🔗 Subscribe to receive future editions via email: bit.ly/49Xj62F

📣 The 10th #ICRN Forum, in part sponsored by GI ACE, is accepting abstract submissions!

📅 Dates: 25-27 June 2026
📍 Location: @rctrust.bsky.social, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany
🗓️ Submission deadline: 2 February 2026
🔗 Find out more and submit: bit.ly/4a64CyS

#AntiCorruption #Governance

Evaluating the evidence base for the UK's 2025 Anti-Corruption Strategy - Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence Professor Robert Barrington from the Centre for the Study of Corruption looks at the use of research and evidence in the UK’s new Anti-Corruption Strategy.

📣 Blog: ‘Evaluating the evidence base for the UK’s 2025 Anti‑Corruption Strategy’

@csc-barrington.bsky.social argues although the Strategy is the most evidence‑based yet, key data gaps remain and its impact hinges on the implementation of commitments to improve research, evaluation and measurement.

Join us on 5 Feb 2026 (2–3pm GMT) for a GI ACE seminar on using leaked & sensitive data to research illicit finance, with @szakonyi.bsky.social and Tom Mayne, chaired by @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social. In collaboration with the Illicit Finance Data Lab.
Register here: bit.ly/3ZkcV3U

Identifying enabler networks and their vulnerabilities - Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence The project explores the tools used by corrupt elites to launder their reputations and move and conceal illicit wealth across borders.

Drawing lessons from organised crime frameworks in other jurisdictions, the authors outline options to strengthen asset recovery, hold enablers accountable, and reinforce the UK’s global leadership on anti-corruption.

🔗 Paper: bit.ly/4qMDRVE
🔗 Project: bit.ly/49QNsFe

#AntiCorruption #Kleptocracy

The paper argues that kleptocracy should be tackled as a networked criminal enterprise - not just a series of isolated offences - and shows how existing UK legal tools are often underused.

📘 New GI ACE research launched

We marked the parliamentary launch of The Kleptocratic Enterprise, by @marianizzero.bsky.social, @jheathershaw.bsky.social & Tom Mayne of the University of Essex, which examines the gap between the UK’s anti-corruption ambitions and its asset recovery outcomes.

🧵⬇️

In the latest Kickback episode, Anna Persson examines systemic corruption as a collective action problem, questioning simplified ideas of political will and state coherence

Consultants, capture, and kleptocrats: how professional service providers enable corruption This roundtable brought together leading scholars from the GI ACE programme and beyond to examine how consultancies, lawyers and other intermediaries facilitated illicit influence across jurisdictions. Devi Pillay examined how McKinsey & Company and its local subcontractors contributed to state capture in South Africa’s public utilities. Alex Cooley and John Heathershaw shared insights on the Kazakh government’s engagement with firms such as Tony Blair Associates and Arcanum. Corentin Cohen explored the hierarchy and complementary functions of different types of enablers. Tena Prelec addressed the evolving and contested role of lawyers in facilitating kleptocracy and grand corruption. The discussion shed light on the systems, incentives and networks that make professional enablers central to contemporary corruption challenges. This research is part of the Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence (GI ACE) programme which is hosted by the Centre for the Study of Corruption, University of Sussex and funded by UK International Development from the UK government. GI ACE generates actionable evidence that policymakers, practitioners and advocates can use to design and implement more effective anti-corruption initiatives. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the UK Government’s official policies.

The full recording of our GI ACE roundtable “Consultants, capture, and kleptocrats: how professional service providers enable corruption” is now available. The session examined how consultants, lawyers and intermediaries facilitate illicit influence across jurisdictions.

🔗 bit.ly/49iU1A5

Today’s #GIACE roundtable unpacked how professional enablers shape corruption and state capture behind the scenes.

Thank you to @devipillay.co.za, Alexander Cooley, @jheathershaw.bsky.social, Corentin C., @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social and all who joined!

⏰ 24 hours to go!
Register here: bit.ly/GIACERoundtable
📅 11 December 2025 | 🕐 1–2 PM (UK)

It's #anticorruptionday and today we’re launching the third of our briefings looking at the Kenyan real estate ecosystem – this time looking at the challenges the system faces in addressing illicit finance. Check it out here: cifar.eu/challenges-f...

New GI ACE blog: How can the IMF help counter state capture? @tshipley1.bsky.social & @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social explore the Fund’s growing role, its leverage in reforms, and the risks that could hold it back.
Read more: bit.ly/StateCapture...

Part 3 of #GIACE’s blog series is out! @devipillay.co.za unpacks the Zondo Commission’s 353 recommendations and why South Africa’s post-capture reforms remain uneven. Key gaps persist in law enforcement and whistle-blower protection. Read more: bit.ly/GIACEPart3

🚨New CSC blog: Prof. Dan Hough examines FIFA’s decision allowing Cristiano Ronaldo to play in all 2026 World Cup matches after his red card, and what this shows about disciplinary processes in football governance.
🔗Read more: bit.ly/4oy6tQR

Earlier this week we launched our 2nd paper looking at the Kenyan real estate sector. Our newest blog dives into how the real estate process works, where it could take action to prevent illicit finance and what are some of the challenges in doing so: cifar.eu/how-does-the...

📢Out today! The 2nd of our reports into money laundering & real estate in Kenya. This report describes in detail the key actors current to 2025 that operate to prevent money laundering in the real estate sector. Read more: cifar.eu/kenyas-real-...

Consultants, capture, and kleptocrats: how professional service providers enable corruption

Professional enablers often work behind the scenes—but their influence can drive corruption and state capture. Join our GI ACE roundtable with @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social, @devipillay.co.za, Alex Cooley, @jheathershaw.bsky.social, Corentin Cohen and @tenaprelec.bsky.social

🔗 bit.ly/GIACERoundtable

Today’s #GIACEseminar was a lively dive into how illicit finance is reshaping tourism and hospitality.

Thank you to Jean-Patrick Villeneuve, @ofabianobomfim.bsky.social, Dieter Zinnbauer, @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social and all the participants who joined!

Learn more: bit.ly/corruptionin...

Happening today at 1-2 PM UK time!
Register here: bit.ly/GIACEUSISemi...