Citywealth Leaders List, 60 seconds interview – Chris Roberts, Grosvenor Law
This week’s 60 seconds Citywealth Leaders List interview is dedicated to Chris Roberts, Partner and Head of White Collar Crime and Investigations, at Grosvenor Law. Chris has experience working with the United States Department of Justice, the UK Serious Fraud Office, the UK Financial Conduct Authority, the UK National Crime Agency, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office, the UK Competition and Markets Authority and the Metropolitan Police.
Tell Citywealth readers a bit about your role.
As a Partner at Grosvenor Law, I focus on white-collar crime and investigations, including allegations of fraud, bribery, corruption and sanctions breaches, and advising clients on how to deal with them. This involves not only managing the consequences of these issues, such as engaging with prosecutors and regulators, and bringing or defending claims, but also helping clients prevent them through effective policies and procedures.
What does a typical day look like for you?
The great thing about this job is that there is no typical day. I like to log on while I am still at home, send some emails and feel that I have got ahead of the day – if only slightly – before heading into the office. We have a great team at Grosvenor Law and I try to be in five days a week. There are invariably meetings to keep cases on track and make sure all the plates keep spinning. There will also be calls with others involved in the team, whether clients, barristers, investigators or forensic accountants, as well as making time to see contacts and colleagues to understand what is happening in the market and identify potential future risks for clients.
Tell us about some recent, interesting client instructions/requests you have received.
I am currently leading on one of the biggest claims I have ever worked on. A financial services client has been defrauded of potentially £250 million by people who they trusted so much they became almost part of the family. Sadly, in my line of work we often see that when people in a position of trust spot an opportunity to make more money than they are entitled to, they are all too willing to take the opportunity. So we are working through the potential claim, which involves (as these often do) multiple jurisdictions and many different shell companies. I have also recently provided an opinion on UK sanctions law that was submitted to the Austrian courts; and there is an opportunity to review and update the policies and procedures of a FTSE 250 company on the table. I have also got a client in the sports sector, which is another interesting opportunity. The work is always very varied.
What challenges do your clients face and how are you helping your clients to overcome them?
My clients’ challenges are always complex, and often urgent, whether they are involved in an investigation, a potential prosecution, or there is a black hole in their accounts. You very quickly have to go from being ‘just’ a lawyer to becoming their trusted adviser. This means being able to explain complex issues and procedures simply, give them a sense of the likely outcome, so far as you are able to, and explain how you will get there together.
What is your proudest professional achievement?
Obtaining full recovery for a client that had been defrauded of almost £20 million. Again, it was perpetrated by someone they trusted who spotted an opportunity and took it. Fortunately, the client was willing and able to continue pursuing them through the English courts and across multiple other jurisdictions until the end.
What do you consider to be the most important attributes for a leader?
Helping others to maximise their talent – in that way the whole team benefits.
Who do you most admire and why?
Ernest Bevin, Foreign Secretary in 1945. He came from nothing and was a key architect of the postwar structures which have lasted for so long.
Where was the last place you travelled to for work or pleasure?
Porto, for pleasure – a great long weekend visiting many different port houses.
If you weren’t in this industry, what else might you be doing?
I did a lot of acting when I was at school and university, perhaps something in that field.
How do you relax after a long day?
Playing squash, watching rugby, or reading.
Key Takeaways
- Chris Roberts is a Partner at Grosvenor Law, focusing on white-collar crime and investigations, including fraud and bribery.
- His typical day involves managing cases, engaging with clients, and staying updated on market risks.
- Roberts leads a major claim involving a £250 million fraud case and works with clients across various sectors, including finance and sports.
- He helps clients navigate complex challenges by providing clear guidance and support through investigations or legal issues.
- Roberts’ proudest achievement is recovering nearly £20 million for a defrauded client, showcasing his commitment to client success.
Grosvenor Law’s Citywealth Leaders List profile
Subscribe to the Citywealth Weekly Newsletter to learn more about Private Wealth Management.
Read more:
Sanctions 2026: enforcement moves up the agenda for private wealth
Grosvenor Law: A Day in the Life of Management
Italy update | Citywealth News
News release: Citywealth’s Top 100 trust litigators and polymaths | Citywealth News
Top 100 International Private Client Litigation Lawyers 2022 | Citywealth News
Citywealth Leaders List, 60 seconds interview – Tom Hughes, Gallagher
This week's 60 seconds Citywealth Leaders List interview is dedicated to Tom Hughes, Director of Tax Insurance at Gallagher.
Citywealth Leaders List, 60 seconds interview – David R. Fullmer, WR Immigration
This week's 60 seconds Citywealth Leaders List interview is dedicated to David R. Fullmer, Partner at WR Immigration. He helps U.S. and international companies navigate employment-based immigration, global talent strategies, compliance, and I-9 audits.