K2

Gemini Advisory spearheads Recorded Future push into ex-USSR zone cyberspace 

The one-year-old Intelligence Fund, launched by Recorded Future, is beefing up its portfolio of intelligence startups, starting with the Russian and Eastern Europe cyberthreat specialist Gemini Advisory.

K2 expert and JS Held come to SEC's aid in case against Queens real estate tycoon 

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has accused property developer Richard Xia of pocketing $229m from real estate scams in New York. Financial intelligence consultants are helping to investigate the securities fraud case.

• LONDON - Networking session for London's corporate intelligence elite.

• PARIS - Governances still rolling in CAC 40 anti-corruption experts. 

• WASHINGTON/TASHKENT - BGR continues Central Asian momentum.

• LONDON/PARIS - Newbie Idesus sets foot in Paris with Africa in sight.

Accountants go after corporate investigators 

As well as tracking down Russian clients, the UK's business intelligence community has found itself attracting interest from the world's leading accounting firms keen to develop their scope in the sector.

• NEW YORK - K2's NY office has busy agenda.
  

• LONDON - Anti-corruption investigator Jonathan Benton sets up foundation.

• PARIS/LONDON - ESL & Network teams with Britain's The Ambassador Partnership.

• KYIV - Cisco Talos mobilised to counter Russian cyber activism in Ukraine.
  

ESG investigations - mirage or growth opportunity for investigation firms? 

For more and more business intelligence companies, having an operational social and environmental governance investigation service is becoming a necessary accessory for the 2021-2022 autumn-winter season. Is the rise in demand for these investigations, which is driven by tighter regulations in a number of major countries, just a passing fashion or could it mark the start of development of a substantial new market?

Stone Point at the heart of Kroll versus Kroll legal battle 

Behind the legal battle being fought over the Kroll name by the leading business intelligence companies, Kroll and K2 Integrity, there are major financial considerations. The trial has revealed that, despite the fierce competition between them, the two firms came very close to merging under the leadership of Stone Point Capital.

Boris Johnson consults corporate intelligence firms on China 

As it puts the finishing touches on its new Investment Security Unit, set up to prevent attempts at economic predation on UK businesses, especially from China, 10 Downing Street is turning to corporate intelligence firms to help with the task.

Kroll versus Kroll, the 2021 round 

Kroll group has reopened old wounds dating to the creation of K2 with its latest attack on founder Jules Kroll before a US court on 10 November.

FATF guidance on crypto-assets opens path for crypto compliance specialists 

By calling for stricter compliance requirements, the Financial Action Task Force's latest recommendations should see more traditional finance investors turn to crypto-assets by reducing legal uncertainty. It will also open the playing field for crypto-assets compliance specialists to rival established compliance specialists.

FTI's French investigations team falls apart 

FTI Consulting is the latest in a string of big US and British firms to fail in the French marketplace. With the departure of its head of investigations, Stéphanie Lhomme, the Parisian consulting firm has been turned upside down.

Jason Wright reteams with Krolls at K2, marking end of Argo Associates 

Hong Kong private investigation veteran Jason Wright is closing his firm Argo Associates to join K2 Integrity in London.

Russian Geographical Society sets up in Paris under the aegis of soft power experts 

For the inauguration of its new centre in Paris headed by academic Darya Loyola, the powerful Russian Geographical Society called in experts in Russian-French relations, as well as professional promoters of Russian policy for compatriots abroad.

BNP forced to double down on anti-corruption efforts 

With the French Anti-Corruption Agency breathing down its neck, the French bank will call on a service provider to help improve the transparency of its processes worldwide.

Under pressure from DoJ, cryptocurrency sector beefs up financial intelligence 

In response to increased scrutiny by US authorities, cryptocurrency platforms and suppliers are strengthening their internal teams, with outside help from old and new compliance experts.

Temasek's ISTARI backs cyber companies of former intelligence officers 

ISTARI, a company created by the Singapore state-owned fund Temasek, is investing in cyber firms run by former intelligence agents. Its latest investment, Prevalent AI, was co-founded by former GCHQ boss Iain Lobban and his former deputy Andrew France.