Business Reporter

Tom Hollis

Bad leavers, trade secrets and corporate disputes

Tom Hollis covers what happens when staff leave and take something with them, whether customer lists, source code or confidential designs.

He previously reported on employment tribunals and commercial litigation, and writes on the legal and financial fallout for companies.

Latest from Tom

People walking towards a red-brick Gothic university building in Belfast.

Insider Risk Management

Queen's asks staff to review China research links after MI5 warning

Queen's University Belfast is reviewing potential research links to an organisation MI5 accuses of supporting Chinese intelligence, an allegation Beijing denies.

28 October 2026

Coiled optical fibres and precision components on a laboratory workbench, with a worker in the background.

Insider Threat

Fibre laser expert convicted of economic espionage

Ji Wang stole Corning research files to support a planned business in China, according to the US Department of Justice.

28 October 2026

An anonymous administrative worker handling paperwork at a computer in a public-service office.

Insider Threat

Maryland contractor employee admits unemployment benefits fraud

Katrina McCant used access to Maryland’s benefits system to divert payments and approve fraudulent claims for fees, according to the US Department of Justice.

28 October 2026

An anonymous person walks past an empty bench on a tree-lined park path.

Insider Threat

DIA employee arrested over alleged classified information transfer

US prosecutors allege an IT specialist in the agency’s Insider Threat Division tried to pass defence information to an FBI agent posing as a foreign official.

28 October 2026