Chris Wheeler

Partner

I am a Partner in HW Fisher’s Forensic department. I originally specialised as a forensic accountant at PwC in 1997, following ACA qualification in audit and two financial controller secondments. I am now a Fellow of the ICAEW and an accredited counter-fraud specialist. I work closely with clients and their legal advisors, helping them reach positive outcomes in commercial disputes and investigations.

I have acted for both claimant and defendant/respondent in commercial disputes arising from breach of contract and tort. Over the years, I have attended numerous mediations and arbitrations, typically providing expert advice on the quantification (or challenge) of financial losses, settlement modelling (using decision trees), and expert opinion on a business’s financial health (in connection with valuations or ahead of security-for-costs applications).

When investigations are required (typically following suspicions of fraud, loss, or whistleblower activity), my task is to identify and secure the facts and evidence, trace assets, and work closely with legal teams, insurers, regulators, and (where necessary) the police to recover losses and reach a swift conclusion. Accordingly, I have given evidence as a Crown Prosecution witness in criminal courts in England and Wales.

Before joining HW Fisher, I was a Partner and Head of Forensic Accounting at a leading UK law firm, providing in-house support to teams of litigators, insurance lawyers, and regulatory investigators across a full spectrum of sectors and geographies, including financial services, technology, healthcare, energy, real estate, and consumer industries. In total, I have spent over two decades managing forensic teams within major accounting businesses and City-based law firms.

Outside of work, I have a passion for running and developing youth athletes. On the one hand, I enjoy a long trail run in the mountains; on the other, I am an England Athletics Coaching Assistant, helping athletes to reach their endurance goals.