Steven Powell is Head of ENS’ Forensics practice. He is a renowned specialist white-collar crime prosecutor and forensics lawyer. Steven specialises in leading financial crime investigations that result in successful disciplinary and criminal proceedings as well as the recovery of losses from offenders in both civil and criminal matters.

Steven has been appointed to act for the South African Asset Forfeiture Unit to execute a multitude of restraint and forfeiture orders to recover the proceeds of crime flowing from corporate fraud, drug and abalone smuggling. He has performed investigations in, amongst others, the financial, oil and gas, mining, insurance and retail sectors in multiple jurisdictions in Africa.

Steven’s experience also includes anti-fraud and corruption matters and assisting clients to meet the anti-corruption compliance requirements in the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the UK Bribery Act, as well as the South African Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act. Steven also assists clients with anti-fraud and anti-bribery risk assessments, training, due diligence and compliance programmes. Steven has been commended for his contribution to the work of the judicial enquiry into State Capture led by Judge Raymond Zondo in South Africa.

Steven was recognised as the Financial Crime Investigator of the year for 2022 by the International Association of Financial Crime Investigators (IAFCI) at their annual award ceremony in Washington DC.

Steven is also frequently invited to present on white-collar crime, fraud and corruption issues throughout Africa and lectures on these topics at the local universities.

Education

• BProc (University of Cape Town)
• LLB (University of Cape Town)
• Admitted as an advocate of the High Court of South Africa