Cybercrime trends and the impact on the legal sector

Andrew Baker, Partner, Accounting and Business Advisory, RSM

Andrew is a partner in RSM’s accounting and business advisory team, bringing significant experience in advising and supporting professional services practices. His diverse client portfolio includes professional services businesses, ranging from international and large national firms to local regional practices.
With over 30 years’ experience advising the legal sector, Andrew supports clients on a wide range of strategic, regulatory and operational matters. His experience extends to succession planning, reward and retention strategies, funding and business structures.

As an active member of RSM’s Professional Services Industry Group, and a recognised expert in the provision of Solicitors Accounts Rules (SAR) services, Andrew has played a pivotal role in delivering complex technical updates and training to regional Law Society groups and ICAEW members. He also contributes his expertise to the ICAEW Solicitors Community Advisory Group.
In addition to his client work, Andrew is deeply committed to the development of future talent in the accounting and business advisory fields. He actively participates in mentoring and guiding the next generation of professionals, ensuring they are well-prepared to meet the industry’s evolving demands.

Stuart Leach, Technology and cyber risk assurance partner, RSM

Stuart Leach is a technology and cyber risk assurance partner responsible for leading the national cyber practice across RSM UK. He has extensive experience in designing, operating and assessing cyber security strategies, programmes, security operation centres, and threat intelligence capabilities for major organisations. This is a result of his time in practice and extensive industry experience in security leadership roles including as a hands-on CISO in an FCA regulated firm.

Stuart specialises in providing assurance and advisory support on matters across the diverse range of cyber security domains to a wide range of organisations from small/medium enterprise to large and complex global group structures.
Stuart has over 25 years’ experience designing, operating and assessing cyber security programmes, security operation centres and threat intelligence capabilities. He has worked with a broad range of clients, including major organisations with global group structures at different points of the business life cycle.