Lessons from the Post Office Horizon scandal for financial services: Shaping the future of technology, governance and ethics

Jules Henderson served for over 24 years as a police officer beginning her career in the Metropolitan Police as a Constable, rising to Detective Chief Superintendent most recently leading the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit responsible for Counter Terrorism Policing and Regional Organised Crime Unit. She is now the Head of Digital Forensics, eDiscovery and Operational Excellence for the Enforcement Division of the Financial Conduct Authority.

Jules has served the public across London and the East of England in a wide range of roles from front line policing, through to serious investigations, intelligence, and counter terrorism, most notably leading the intelligence response to Westminster Bridge and Finsbury Park terrorist attacks. In parallel, Jules has been involved in various technology innovations across policing particularly in relation to digital forensics and in 2022 led the introduction of mobile technology across 24 forces designed to improve the initial management of crime scenes and police investigations. Jules has been a technology subject matter expert to the FBI, has a master’s in criminology and a PhD exploring the value of forensic science to police investigations of violence against women and girls. 

Since 2022, Jules has had the privilege of supporting the ground-breaking equity work done by Women of Colour in Policing whose aim is to elevate and champion women from all ethnic minority backgrounds and their allies, whether they are officers, staff, volunteers or retired and is now involved in similar work at the FCA.

Saima Hanif KC is a leading silk in sanctions, financial services, banking and finance, insurance and professional discipline. Described as a “fantastic litigator” (Chambers) who is “persuasive before any forum” (Legal 500), Saima is recognised for her “excellent judgement”, “piercing legal insight” and for being “technically brilliant” (Legal 500). She has “great knowledge of the FS industry” and is a “go-to silk for financial services and sanctions work”.

Her landmark victories include: T v FCA (a stay of RDC proceedings), Rollet v DFSA (a rare successful privacy application), Tinney v FCA (where she “set a new precedent” representing a Barclays COO in the Upper Tribunal in the only reported case where a P1 breach did not result in a ban/fine), and Sogexia v Raphaels Bank (where she obtained a rarely-granted short notice mandatory injunction preventing the termination of a banking relationship). She was retained counsel for the GFSC and has also acted for the FRC, the FSCS and the PRA (e.g. Wyelands Bank, Hunter, Hambro and the Vocalink enforcement decisions).

Saima was listed in the Global 2025 100 Women in Investigations review. She has a “stellar” claimant practice representing FIs, HNWs and senior individuals facing regulatory action and is a “go-to for the top-tier firms”(Legal 500).

Chrysty Esperanza is the Chief Legal Officer at Block, Inc., where she leads global legal, regulatory, and public policy teams. She is a trusted advisor to senior leadership and the Board of Directors, guiding strategic corporate and business decisions while managing risk across a broad spectrum of legal and regulatory challenges. Before her current role, Chrysty held several key leadership positions within Block, Inc., where she built and scaled a globally distributed team. Her career is marked by a deep commitment to innovation, customer-focus, and excellence in strategy and operations, from developing decision-making frameworks to optimizing operating models during transformational business phases. Chrysty is recognized for her creative problem-solving skills and leadership in navigating complex, high impact matters.

Prior to Block, she held positions at Electronic Arts Inc., served as a Deputy Attorney General at the California Department of Justice, and also as an associate at Farella, Braun and Martel. Chrysty holds a BA from UCLA and JD from UC Law SF (formerly Hastings College of the Law). Based in San Francisco, she is actively involved in community service, contributing to local non-profit organizations and serving on the boards of various civic initiatives, including the San Francisco Public Library.