Ian Smith

Ian Smith is an investigations expert, serving as leader of FTI Technology’s Digital Forensics practice in EMEA. Mr. Smith advises clients on the technology aspects of investigations, litigation and regulatory enquiries, encompassing data preservation, analysis and review. His career spans 25 years in the fields of digital forensics and e-discovery.

Mr. Smith’s engagement experience includes matters in relation to fraud and corruption, anti-competitive practices, intellectual property theft and breach of contract. He has assisted clients in EMEA and globally from a wide range of industries, with a particular focus in financial services, as well as energy, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and construction. He also brings extensive experience in the planning and execution of forensic data collections in the UK and internationally, under invitation and under the provision of court-issued warrants.

Mr. Smith has led and conducted numerous digital forensic investigations across employment disputes, IP theft and unauthorized activity. He has audited data collection and e-discovery work, written witness statements and given testimony in the English courts.

Relevant Experience:

• Led a forensic investigation into data spoliation in a Foreign Corrupt Practices Act matter for a global company and presented a report to a joint investigation panel of the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice
• Advised a UK property services company under administration in relation to securing data for investigation of historic financial conduct and use of company information
• Led electronic data collections in West Africa in a high-value investigation into contracts awarded through fraud
• Submitted an expert report in relation to the provenance of documents submitted in evidence, demonstrating that they were not genuine, leading to the party withdrawing
• Provided an expert report to the Dubai International Finance Centre Courts in a matter involving suspected exfiltration of confidential data

Awards & Recognition:

• Global Elite Thought Leader, Data and E-Discovery Experts, Lexology Index (2024–2025)