Forward Global builds out London litigation support practice with major industry hires

LONDON, Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Forward Global has announced three senior appointments to its London Corporate Intelligence and Investigations practice, including two partners significantly expanding its litigation support offering in London. They collectively bring decades of experience at the highest levels of investigations, disputes and intelligence operations in EMEA and beyond.

The appointments add senior disputes and litigation investigations expertise to Forward Global's wider capabilities in strategic communications, digital intelligence, cyber and risk advisory. The strengthened team will support law firms, corporates, investors and sovereign clients on sensitive, high-value and cross-border matters, from investigations and evidence development to asset tracing, recovery and dispute strategy.

Darren Matthews joins as Partner and Head of Litigation and Disputes Investigations in the UK. A forensic accountant and certified fraud examiner, he has more than 25 years' experience leading complex cross-border investigations. He will lead the development of Forward Global's UK litigation and disputes investigations capability, with a focus on fraud and corruption investigations, forensic accounting and data-driven and digital investigative techniques. He was previously Executive Managing Director and Regional Head of EMEA for K2 Integrity.

Frédéric Maendly joins as Partner, Litigation and Disputes Investigations, for the UK and Switzerland. A former Swiss federal investigator with deep roots across the Swiss financial and legal community, Frédéric brings an established network and investigative background that significantly strengthens Forward Global's coverage across continental Europe and the wider EMEA region. Most recently, he was K2 Integrity's Head of Geneva Office.

Christopher Morris joins as Managing Director and Head of EMEA Business Development, having previously held senior business development roles at two leading international investigation firms. Chris brings extensive experience building client relationships across the Middle East and international markets, with a strong track record in originating mandates across the full spectrum of intelligence and investigations work.

The three join an established London team with a strong track record across litigation support, asset tracing, corporate intelligence and geopolitical risk. Under Charles Carr's leadership, the expanded practice offers clients a full-service investigations and intelligence capability across Europe, the Middle East, Russia and the CIS, Asia and Latin America.

The expanded investigations and disputes team will work closely with Matt Bell, who leads Forward Global's disputes communications practice in London. Together, the teams support legal advisers and their clients through sensitive, high-profile and cross-border matters, combining investigations and intelligence with communications strategies designed to protect value, manage stakeholder scrutiny and support wider dispute objectives. They will also work with Dr Judith Jacob, who leads the Forward Global's Geopolitical Risk and Security Intelligence practice.

Matthieu Creux, President, Forward Global, said, "Our clients want one firm that sees the whole picture, connecting intelligence, investigations, cyber, risk and communications. Investing in this capability and in the calibre of people who deliver it positions Forward Global to advise clients on the most complex threats they face, globally."

Charles Carr, Partner, Head of UK Corporate Intelligence & Investigations, said "Darren, Frédéric and Chris are people I have worked alongside for the better part of twenty years. Bringing them together here gives our clients the language coverage, regional reach and investigative depth to handle their most sensitive matters, wherever those matters take us."

The appointments further strengthen Forward Global's ability to provide integrated investigation, intelligence and communications support to clients navigating complex disputes across jurisdictions.

Notes for Editors

Forward Global is an international group dedicated to anticipating, proactively managing risks, and effectively addressing crises and hostilities. With main offices in Paris, Brussels, London, New York, Miami, and Washington, the group brings together more than 450 professionals and around 90 Partners and Directors. Forward Global designs and delivers integrated services and solutions that combine strategic human expertise with advanced technological capabilities to manage reputational, informational, political, regulatory, digital, cyber, economic, and emerging technology risks.

Press contact: uk@forwardglobal.com