Derek Patterson is a Principal at FRA’s London Office.  He leads FRA’s UK Disputes team and also guides its Nordic business.

Derek has been recognized in Who’s Who Legal Investigations, Consulting Experts, Thought Leaders and Global Elite. Sources describe him as a “highly sought after forensic expert” among peers, with “standout experience advising clients on large and complex fraud and bribery investigations”. He is recommended for his “excellent analysis and superb delivery of expert witness testimony” and “quick grasp of a business’s issues”.

Derek brings over 25 years of experience earned across commercial and consulting roles. He draws on his combined experience to understand the requirements of clients and their counsel, so as to provide pragmatic and clear advice. Prior to joining FRA he worked in a variety of finance roles in international aviation and automotive businesses. At FRA, he has deepened his experience supporting forensic accounting, financial investigations, litigation and international arbitration matters across a wide range of sectors and jurisdictions, often with a cross-border element.

Derek’s engagements have covered sectors such as telecomms, extractive industries, manufacturing, pharma and life sciences, aviation, marketing and advertising, and software, among others. His work has covered countries in Europe, Latin America, Africa and the CIS. His representative experience includes leading:  

• the post-acquisition investigation of a Swiss marketing business for a global media group, identifying accounting fraud and kickbacks which supported a post-M&A dispute with the vendor.
• an investigation of a complex €2 billion investment and accounting fraud for a Dutch real-estate group, and supporting a subsequent High Court claim in London, a regulatory review in Jersey, and shareholder litigation in Austria.
• an urgent response investigation and customer network analysis into public allegations of money laundering at a major Nordic Bank
• forensic accounting support to assist Telia Company respond to bribery allegations arising from their Uzbekistan business, and with disgorgement and pecuniary gain analysis in its $965 million FCPA settlement with the DOJ, the SEC, and the Netherlands.

Prior to joining FRA, Derek was the Group Treasurer for easyJet plc, and raised over $3billion in aircraft finance including operating leases and secured loans, and managed and accounted for end-lease and maintenance obligations. He was a senior finance member of the MBO team, which bought and sold the low cost airline “go fly” at British Airways plc, and worked in Ford Motor Co in financial control and internal audit roles.

Derek completed his training as an accountant and auditor with PricewaterhouseCoopers and holds a Bachelor of Accountancy degree from the University of Glasgow.