Disquiet as UK SFO director steps down over two years early

The shock early retirement of Nick Ephgrave as director of the UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO), on 15 January, two years before his term of office was due to end in 2028 has raised concerns about the future of the often-criticised agency he leads.

By Sara Lewis

The shock early retirement of Nick Ephgrave as director of the UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO), on 15 January [2026], two years before his term of office was due to end in 2028 has raised concerns about the future of the often-criticised agency he leads.