Risk & Crisis Consulting
A high-stakes incident—whether it’s a fraud allegation, a data breach, or a high-profile integrity matter—can unfold rapidly, threatening not only an organisation’s reputation but also its long-term viability. How a leadership team responds in the critical first hours and days can determine whether the incident escalates into a full-blown crisis or is managed with composure and control. Drawing on my extensive experience in emergency and crisis management, I provide strategic counsel to assess and mitigate both investigative and reputational risks during these high-pressure situations.
My service is designed to provide clarity and decisive action when it is most needed. I work alongside your executive team and legal counsel to:
Conduct an Immediate Situational Analysis
I perform a rapid assessment to define the scope and nature of the incident. My focus is on mapping the investigative risk, identifying potential legal or regulatory exposure, and understanding the immediate threat to your organisation’s reputation. This is a crucial step that moves you from a state of uncertainty to an informed position from which to act.
Establish a Crisis Response Structure
I help you set up an effective governance structure for the incident response. This includes defining clear roles and responsibilities, establishing lines of authority, and ensuring that all actions—from internal communications to external statements—are coordinated, consistent, and legally defensible.
Develop a Stakeholder Engagement Strategy
In a crisis, effective communication with key stakeholders—including regulators, law enforcement, board members, staff, and the public—is paramount. I provide strategic advice on when and how to engage, ensuring your messaging is transparent, truthful, and consistent with your values. My background in politically sensitive environments gives me a clear understanding of how to navigate these delicate relationships.
Mitigate Procedural Risks
My deep knowledge of investigative procedure allows me to provide guidance on how to preserve evidence, manage internal inquiries, and interact with external investigators without compromising your organisation’s legal position. This ensures that your response, even in the midst of a crisis, adheres to the principles of a fair and defensible process.
Integrity System Design
A culture of integrity cannot exist without the systems and structures that support it. A poorly designed internal investigative function, a vague misconduct reporting mechanism, or an opaque governance structure can lead to an environment where issues are not addressed, and trust is eroded. My service helps organisations design and implement robust, end-to-end integrity frameworks that prevent misconduct, detect wrongdoing, and ensure accountability.
This service is a culmination of my work in building and reforming integrity functions within public sector agencies. My experience establishing the investigative function at the Victorian Electoral Commission and strengthening the enforcement model at WorkSafe Victoria provides me with a unique, practical understanding of what it takes to build a system from the ground up that is both effective and beyond reproach.
I provide guidance on:
- Building an Internal Investigative Capability: I help you design a clear, professional, and ethical internal investigations function. This includes developing clear policies on how allegations are received, triaged, and investigated; establishing robust evidence management procedures; and ensuring investigative staff are trained to the highest standards. The goal is to create a function that is seen as a credible and independent resource for your organisation.
- Designing Reporting Mechanisms: A critical component of any integrity system is a safe and effective way for individuals to report concerns. I help you design whistle-blower and misconduct reporting mechanisms that are confidential, accessible, and provide a clear pathway for follow-up. We also focus on the governance surrounding these mechanisms to ensure they are protected and that reporters are safeguarded from retaliation.
- Establishing Governance & Oversight: I advise on the governance structures necessary to oversee the integrity function. This includes establishing audit committees, defining clear reporting lines, and developing performance metrics that measure not just the quantity of investigations but their quality and impact. This ensures that your integrity system is accountable to both your board and your stakeholders.
- Embedding an Ethical Culture: We move beyond a focus on systems to help you cultivate a culture of integrity. This involves advising on how to embed core values of accountability, transparency, and humility in daily decision-making, ensuring that your organisation’s values are not just words on a page but are actively lived and reinforced from the top down.
AML/Financial Crime Expertise
In a globalised economy, organisations face significant risks from illicit financial activity, including money laundering and terrorism financing. The international regulatory landscape is complex and constantly evolving, with bodies like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) setting global standards that national regulators adopt and enforce. Failure to adhere to these standards can result in severe legal penalties, significant financial costs, and catastrophic reputational damage.
My experience as Deputy Commissioner of ICAC in Papua New Guinea provided direct, hands-on involvement with designing and implementing an anti-money laundering (AML) and financial crime strategy that aligns with FATF standards. I have a deep understanding of the practical challenges and strategic imperatives of building a system that can effectively detect, prevent, and report illicit financial activity.
I provide specialist advice on:
- AML/CTF Program Integrity: I review your organisation’s existing AML/CTF (Counter-Terrorism Financing) program to assess its integrity and effectiveness. This includes an analysis of your risk assessment, customer due diligence (CDD) procedures, transaction monitoring systems, and suspicious matter reporting processes.
- Financial Intelligence Analysis: I provide guidance on how to build and enhance your financial intelligence capabilities. This includes advising on the use of data analytics to identify unusual patterns of transactions and on the proper protocols for collaborating with financial intelligence units (FIUs) and other government agencies.
- FATF Standards Compliance: For organisations operating in high-risk jurisdictions or those subject to international scrutiny, I provide expert advice on how to align your internal controls with the 40 recommendations of the FATF. My experience in this domain provides a rare and valuable perspective that goes beyond academic knowledge to offer practical, real-world solutions.
By engaging with Baulch Integrity Solutions, you gain a partner who not only understands the legal and regulatory obligations but also the strategic and operational realities of implementing robust integrity frameworks. We provide the expertise needed to manage your risk landscape, protect your reputation, and ensure your organisation is a leader in governance and accountability.