Andrew Becconsall

I qualified as a solicitor in 1992 with city firm Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP.

After leaving private practice I joined the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and as the Investigation Manager in the Forensic Investigation unit, I was responsible for a large team who undertook investigations into firms of solicitors following allegations of serious regulatory breaches including mortgage fraud, money laundering and terrorist financing.  

During my time with the SRA, I personally visited over 1,000 firms of solicitors and regularly gave evidence at the Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal and the Crown Court.

I am a member of the Management Group, Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA) Deputy Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) and Deputy Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO).

After leaving the SRA I worked in private practice as a defence lawyer defending solicitors against the SRA. I have also gained extensive experience in the legal services industry as a specialist risk and compliance consultant assisting COLP's (Compliance Officer for Legal Practice), COFA's (Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration) and MLRO's (Money Laundering Reporting Officer) in a variety of businesses ranging from small niche firms to city practices. I have also assisted legal practices to sell, merge or close.

In my spare time, I act as a boarder for the Guide Dogs for the Blind training centre in Leamington Spa and I am currently boarding Maple. She is a German Shepherd/Golden Retriever cross and she is my 50^th guide dog.