Balancing Confidentiality & Transparency in Whistleblowing Investigations
‘Lunch & Learn’ webinar event in recognition of World Whistleblower Day
Whistleblowing plays a vital role in holding organisations to account. But when concerns are raised in confidence or anonymously, the path forward isn’t always clear.
Some whistleblowers explicitly request that their identity be kept private. In other cases, organisational policy requires confidentiality as standard. Yet those leading the investigation still have a duty to act fairly. That often involves sharing evidence that could inadvertently point to the person who raised the concern. It also means giving the subject of the allegation a fair chance to understand what has been said and to respond. These competing priorities create a difficult balance for investigators and HR teams alike.
This one-hour lunchtime webinar explores how to manage those tensions effectively. The session will focus on investigations triggered by whistleblowing or confidential ‘speak up’ concerns, offering practical ideas for how to proceed when confidentiality, transparency and fairness all need to be upheld.
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Hosted by workplace investigation specialists Will Richards and Kate Marston, the session will include:
A summary of key whistleblowing and protected disclosure legislative requirements
Discussion of typical confidentiality challenges that arise during investigations
Examples of how to handle sensitive evidence without exposing identities
Enabling fair and transparent investigations, considering the rights of all parties
Practical tips for managing anonymous or confidential complaints
Managing expectations with empathy and integrity
Best practice for sharing sensitive information
A live Q&A segment to explore issues raised by attendees
The webinar is aimed at those who deal with internal reporting concerns in any setting, including HR, compliance, safeguarding, safety, investigations, or legal advisory roles.
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This session is designed for:
HR professionals
Internal investigators and compliance staff
Safeguarding or ethics officers
Workplace safety professionals
Legal and governance teams
Anyone tasked with handling whistleblowing reports or managing related investigations will benefit from attending.
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When? Friday 27th June 2025, 12:30pm-1:30pm
Where? Online via Zoom platform (secure link shared after booking)
Meet the facilitators
Will Richards
Founder & CEO - EthicsVision International
Will Richards is a globally recognised investigation specialist with a career spanning two decades in high-profile roles. He began his career as a Detective with the Metropolitan Police, where he specialised in internal corruption investigations and led sensitive operations.
He later transitioned to the global aid sector, joining Oxfam as an Anti-Corruption Specialist, where he investigated corruption, abuse, and exploitation across 30+ countries, including Asia, Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. He also trained over 100 regional investigators in countries such as Thailand, Serbia, and Lebanon, adapting his approach to complex legal landscapes.
As Head of Integrity at Transparency International in Berlin, he redesigned the organisation’s integrity framework and Whistleblowing Policy, strengthening its ethical standards.
Appointed as the BBC’s first Head of Whistleblowing in 2021, William led global whistleblowing investigations and policy reforms.
In 2024, he founded EthicsVision International, providing expert training and consultancy for workplace and corporate investigations.
Kate Marston
Founder & CEO - Mast People Support
Kate Marston is a highly respected investigations professional with a strong foundation in both law enforcement and corporate integrity.
She served as a Detective within the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Crime Directorate, before becoming a Detective Sergeant on proactive and reactive operations. She gained invaluable experience in safeguarding, complex investigations, and anonymous witness protocols.
She later transitioned into the corporate world, leading the investigations function for a FTSE 100 luxury brand, where she oversaw the company’s Speak Up program, provided key data insights, and regularly reported to senior leadership on investigation outcomes and trends. In addition to her role in corporate investigations, Kate has rolled out global training initiatives that reinforced compliance standards and organisational values.
She is the founder of Mast People Support, a consultancy that builds respectful workplace cultures, and previously served as the Director of Training for the Association of Corporate Investigators.
With an associate membership in the CIPD and extensive expertise in corporate and HR investigations, Kate is passionate about advancing best practices and sharing her insights with professionals across sectors.
What you’ll take away
By the end of the session, you will:
Feel more confident about managing investigations involving confidential or anonymous disclosures
Understand your legal responsibilities in whistleblowing-led cases
Be better equipped to balance the rights of all parties
Have a clearer idea of what good practice looks like when handling sensitive internal concerns
Book your place
Places are limited to keep the session interactive and focused. Follow the booking link below to secure your place now.
Webinar price: £50.00
Please note:
Booking link takes you to secure credit/debit card payment platform. If you would prefer to pay via invoice/bank transfer, please contact info@ethicsvision.co.uk.
Payment in full is required to secure your place on the webinar. Payments are non-refundable unless the webinar is cancelled/rescheduled by the hosts.