Professor Robert Barrington specialises in analysing global corruption trends and corruption in developed economies.
He is Professor of Anti-Corruption Practice at the Centre for the Study of Corruption, University of Sussex. He was formerly Chair of the International Council at Transparency International (TI), the world’s leading anti-corruption NGO, as well as being the long-term head of its UK national chapter

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, and was described in the media as ‘a thug in a suit.’ Previous roles include Director of Governance & Sustainable Investment at F&C Asset Management, 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, the post-Brexit procurement regime and Free Trade Agreements, 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 was Deputy Chair of 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, Al-Jazeera and LBC. Publications include a ‘Dictionary of Corruption’, ‘Understanding Corruption’, ‘How to Bribe’ and ‘Adequate Procedures – Guidance to the UK Bribery Act’.

His latest book, Corrupted Kingdom, is a comprehensive overview of corruption in the UK. He holds an undergraduate degree from Oxford University and a PhD from the European University Institute.

Board Memebership & Advisory Committees

• Cabinet Office, Procurement Transparency Advisory Panel (2019-2021)
• Transparency International, Chair, International Council (2020-present)
• International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN), Advisor on revision of Anti-Corruption Guidance (2019-20)
• Transparency International: global board (elected, 2017-2019)
• Lord Mayor’s Trust Advisory Group (2017-18)
• ICAEW Corporate Governance Committee (2016-present)
• Royal United Services Institute, CFCS Advisory Committee (2015-2017)
• Member, Ministry of Justice Experts’ Group on Bribery Act Guidance (2010)
• BEIS Export Guarantees Advisory Council (Ministerial appointment, 2006-9)
• Multiple other boards and advisory committees including The Environment Council, Global Reporting Initiative, UNEP-FI Natural Value Initiative, Oxford Brookes University, various Earthwatch and TI global committees.