Wayne Barnes

Wayne conducts investigations across an array of sectors into misconduct affecting corporations, including suspected fraud, corruption, theft of commercial data and false accounting. He has completed sensitive investigations across a variety of industries, including publishing, logistics, energy and natural resources, as well as infrastructure and he regularly completes governance reviews for corporations.

He has represented numerous individuals being investigated or prosecuted by law enforcement entities such as the National Crime Agency, the UK Serious Fraud Office and the US Department of Justice; and has conducted internal investigations across the globe as part of those instructions. He has also been instructed in some of the biggest UK public inquiries currently being conducted.

Wayne advises a growing number of corporate clients grappling with allegations of wrongdoing in the workplace, and other sensitive, business-critical matters. His advisory work extends beyond legal remedies into managing reputational issues and crisis planning.

Wayne is a former international rugby union referee and has presided over more International Rugby matches than anyone else in history, including the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final. He is currently a board member of the Rugby Football Union, and an independent member of the ECB’s Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.

With his professional sporting background, his high-profile sport’s governance roles and his specialist legal practice, Wayne is able to bridge the worlds of law and sport. He is regularly instructed by national governing bodies, professional sports organisations, commercial sponsors and rights holders on all aspects of sports law, governance, ethics and safeguarding. He has recently conducted investigations and reviews for a leading International Football Association, a Premier League football team, a Formula 1 racing team, the British Judo Association and the British Horseracing Authority.

Wayne is a well-established keynote speaker, often sharing his insight into leadership, facing adversity, dealing with pressure and building effective teams in international organisations.