The D&O Files Chapter Four: Sweet then Sour, the Rise and Fall of Patisserie Valerie

In this season finale of our current series of The D&O Files, our expert panel discuss the rise and fall of Patisserie Valerie and how a D&O insurance policy would have helped the struggling high-street cake baker to deal with some of the issues this scandal brought to light.

Discussing what happens when a beloved café chain uncovers a multi-million-pound black hole in its accounts? The shocking collapse of Patisserie Valerie in 2019 exposed one of the biggest financial scandals in recent UK history. Fake bank accounts, undisclosed overdrafts, and a web of deception that appears to have concealed the truth from investors, auditors, and even its own board.

In this our latest D&O Files podcast episode, we dive deep into:

• How the fraud was uncovered;

• The impact on employees, investors, and suppliers;

• Legal fallout, D&O Insurance & lessons for businesses today; and

• The role of auditors—could this have been prevented?

If you’re interested in corporate governance, forensic accounting, or just enjoy unpacking a financial mystery, this episode is a must-listen!

If you’d like to hear this discussion, it’s on Spotify