Marcial Boo, CEO

IPA Insolvency Practitioner newsletter, March 2026

Dear members,

I first want to congratulate all recent successful JIEB passers. The exam is a major achievement in the career of every insolvency professional. We are proud to celebrate your success.

The Office for Professional Body AML Supervision (OPBAS) has just published its report on progress and themes from its supervisory work in 2024/25, which reviews the activity of Professional Body Supervisors, including the IPA, in overseeing their supervised populations. The report highlights developments across the AML supervisory landscape and identifies areas of continued focus for professional body supervisors. You can read our initial response to the report here.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) ‘black’ and ‘grey’ lists were updated in February, with no change to the black-listed countries, which remain Iran, North Korea and Myanmar. But Kuwait and Papua New Guinea have been added to the grey list. More information is here.

You may also wish to complete the FATF Mutual Evaluation and Proliferation Financing Survey, which closes on 31 March. Your input will help ensure the insolvency profession is properly represented in the UK’s evidence base ahead of the FATF assessment in 2027. A Word document with the questions is attached for reference, though responses must be submitted online here.

We are pleased to share the project video for “Behind Closed Books: Money Laundering in UK Insolvency Proceedings”, a research project by the University of Leeds supported by the IPA and the Economic and Social Research Council. IPA expertise and member insight was used to examine how money laundering risks can arise within insolvency cases. The project proposes practical solutions to strengthen compliance without impeding insolvency processes. A report will be published soon. The video should help you gain insight into laundering methods, our evidence-based advocacy for effective AML legislation, and enhance compliance in practice.

Finally, I very much look forward to celebrating the IPA Awards later today. It will be a great opportunity to recognise the dedication, expertise and achievements of colleagues across the profession and to come together to celebrate excellence.

Best wishes,

Marcial Boo