AO Hall Fraud Conference attracts international speakers

Tuesday 29 June 2010

Fraud specialists from some of the world’s leading legal and accounting firms will be speaking at the third AO Hall Fraud Conference.

The biennial event, which is held in conjunction with GTA University Centre, has built a reputation for attracting high calibre speakers and this October’s one-day event has again secured some experienced lawyers and accountants from the UK and America.

‘We have a fascinating and highly topical programme of sessions which will cover all aspects of fraud. The speakers we have secured have years of experience and have been involved in some of the world’s largest fraud cases. They will be able to provide insight and advice which will be both interesting and thought-provoking,’ said AO Hall partner Alison Ozanne.

A recent global fraud survey undertaken by Ernst & Young revealed that fraud appears to be increasing with the number of companies in Western Europe reporting that they had experience a significant instance of fraud in the past two years rising from 10% to 21%.

‘Fraud is a major threat to companies operating in all jurisdictions and in all industries. Guernsey may only be small in size but we operate on a global scale and so it is important that companies are vigilant and aware of the risks. This is an unparalleled opportunity to hear from some of the world’s leading fraud specialists,’ said Advocate Ozanne.

The fraud seminar takes place on 1st October and there will be a full programme of speakers from Guernsey, the UK and America who will cover topics including fraud and the credit crunch, extradition, developments in enforcement techniques and the USA post-Madoff. Speakers from internationally-renowned practices including Baker&McKenzie, XXIV Old Buildings,Peters and Peters and Smith & Williamson have already been confirmed.

The conference will be preceded by a dinner on 30th September 2010, which will also be a celebration of AO Hall’s fifth birthday. Crimewatch presenter Nick Ross has been secured as the speaker.

‘Nick is a much sought-after speaker and has spoken at events organised by some of the world’s leading companies and so we are honoured that he is coming to Guernsey for this event. He obviously sees a very different side to crime and we are sure that he will be a fascinating after-dinner speaker who will be as interesting as Nick Leeson in 2006 and Max Clifford in 2008,’ said GTA University deputy chief executive Fiona Naftel.

More information about the speakers will be announced once the full programme has been confirmed but anyone wanting to attend can register their interest by contacting Sarah Elliott at the GTA University Centre on 721555 or by emailing sarah.elliott@gta.gg