PROFESSOR ROBERT BARRINGTON

Robert Barrington is Professor of Anti-Corruption Practice at the Centre for the Study of Corruption, University of Sussex.  His research focuses on global corruption trends and corruption in developed economies, and he lectures on the Masters in Corruption & Governance.  He was formerly the head of Transparency International (TI) in the UK, and Chair of TI’s International Council.  At TI, he led the campaigns to secure the Bribery Act, a national Anti-Corruption Strategy for the UK and the introduction of Unexplained Wealth Orders. Previous roles include Director of Governance & Sustainable Investment at F&C Asset Management, overseeing Europe’s leading ESG funds, and CEO (Europe) of the Earthwatch Institute in Oxford.

Robert has been a long-term adviser to the UK government on subjects including the Bribery Act, export credits and the post-Brexit procurement regime, and has served on multiple boards and advisory committees ranging from The Environment Council to the World Economic Forum’s Global Futures Council on Good Governance.  He is Deputy Chair on the Taskforce on Business Ethics and the Legal Profession convened by the Institute for Business Ethics.  He writes extensively in the media and appears as an expert commentator on major news and current affairs programmes including BBC Radio 4 Today, BBC World Service, Sky News and LBC.  Publications include a new ‘Dictionary of Corruption’, ‘Understanding Corruption’, ‘How to Bribe’ and ‘Adequate Procedures – Guidance to the UK Bribery Act’. He is currently researching a comprehensive overview of corruption in the UK due for publication in early 2026.  He holds an undergraduate degree from Oxford University and a PhD from the European University Institute.