Criminal Investigator

Government Recruitment Service; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Government Recruitment Service is seeking a Criminal Investigator to join the Investigation Services within the Insolvency Service. Based across Leeds and Manchester, the role supports civil and criminal enforcement to protect markets and public funds.

The position offers hybrid working with 60% office attendance and regular travel for witness statements and suspect interviews. The role reports to the Investigation Manager and Chief Investigator, with assignments under relevant Acts, including

Responsibilities

• investigate serious and complex criminal offences, including fraud, bankruptcy, insolvency and COVID-19 funding offences, to establish the facts and support appropriate enforcement action
• obtain detailed witness statements in accordance with the Criminal Justice Act 1967, Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 and Criminal Justice Acts 1988 and 2003, and interview suspects under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
• prepare accurate, evidence-based reports and case files suitable for criminal court proceedings, managing disclosure material in accordance with the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996
• manage and review your caseload with your line manager to meet deadlines, maintain investigation standards and comply with legislative requirements
• work with prosecution and advisory lawyers and counsel to progress cases, lead follow-up actions and attend court as a witness or disclosure officer when required
• collaborate with investigation, prosecution, enforcement and disciplinary bodies to progress timely, proportionate enforcement action and appropriate disclosures to other regulators, ensuring value for money
• improve investigation practices and contribute to team targets while maintaining the quality and consistency of casework

Job description

Criminal Investigator

Company: Government Recruitment Service

Salary: £40,012 to £40,012 a year

Hours: Full-time

Location: Leeds

Job type: Permanent

Posting date: 12 Nov 2026

Closing date: 23 Nov 2026

Summary

For nearly 150 years, we've protected the UK economy with deep expertise and rigour, building the confidence that helps businesses access lending, investment and opportunity.

We help people deal with personal insolvency. We make statutory redundancy payments when insolvent employers can't. We investigate director conduct and take action where it's needed.

And right now, we're changing how we do all of this, becoming faster, more digitally driven, and more focused on stopping problems before they expand.

More than 2,000 of us work in offices across England, Scotland and Wales. It might be time for you to join us.

The Role

Criminal Investigators work as part of Investigation Services, within the Insolvency Service’s Enforcement Group, delivering civil and criminal enforcement activities that supports fair and open markets, maintains confidence in the company and insolvency regimes, and helps reduce the harm caused by fraudulent activity. This role links in with the Insolvency Service’s strategic objective of combating misconduct and emerging harms.

This is a role for someone who wants to think bigger, challenge the way things have always been done, and take ownership of the outcomes that matter.

We offer full-time, part-time, job share, and flexible working. We invest in your development and give our people the space to grow, take ownership and make decisions.

Reporting to the Investigation Manager and the Chief Investigator. We are recruiting criminal investigators for the Criminal Investigation Team North who will play a key role in the team, carrying out criminal investigations mainly under the Insolvency Act 1986, Companies Act 2006, Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986, Fraud Act 2006, Theft Act 1968 and Economic Crime and Transparency Act 2023.

The Criminal Investigation Team is responsible for conducting criminal investigations into insolvency and corporate related criminal offences which support the Agency’s objective to tackle financial wrongdoing. The team works closely with civil investigation teams, our Legal Services Directorate internally, and other Law Enforcement partner organisations to ensure that we fulfil our role in delivering Governmental strategies. We strive to target offences under the Companies House Reform Legislation along with others including misuse of government backed Covid recovery funds.

The role will be based in Manchester and Leeds. Regular attendance will be required in the selected office in accordance with the hybrid working model of 60% office attendance. Regular travel to obtain witness statements and to interview suspects will be required in addition to meetings with stakeholders and other regulators. Occasional overnight stays may be required. The jobholder will be required to be flexible regarding the length and timing of the working day to meet the demands of the business. Occasional evening/weekend work may be necessary – to be worked in compliance with the European Working Time Directive.

What you'll do (Responsibilities)

The main duties of the role are:

• investigate serious and complex criminal offences, including fraud, bankruptcy, insolvency and COVID-19 funding offences, to establish the facts and support appropriate enforcement action
• obtain detailed witness statements in accordance with the Criminal Justice Act 1967, Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 and Criminal Justice Acts 1988 and 2003, and interview suspects under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
• prepare accurate, evidence-based reports and case files suitable for criminal court proceedings, managing disclosure material in accordance with the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996
• manage and review your caseload with your line manager to meet deadlines, maintain investigation standards and comply with legislative requirements
• work with prosecution and advisory lawyers and counsel to progress cases, lead follow-up actions and attend court as a witness or disclosure officer when required
• collaborate with investigation, prosecution, enforcement and disciplinary bodies to progress timely, proportionate enforcement action and appropriate disclosures to other regulators, ensuring value for money
• improve investigation practices and contribute to team targets while maintaining the quality and consistency of casework

In their own words

“I am proud to be part of a hugely experienced, hard-working team, that investigate financial wrongdoing and works to protect the public. I enjoy the variety of the role and the challenge of taking complex information and turning it into a clear evidential picture. It is rewarding to know that the work we do can make a genuine difference. This role also gives me the opportunity to support an inclusive and positive working environment, sharing knowledge and supporting others to achieve the best possible outcomes. “ Emily, Investigator

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