This article has been passed me by Sue Flood who has worked for women’s rights in the financial world. I am happy to give her thoughts space on this blog.
In a world too often ruled by numbers and red tape, compassion can be the most radical act of all. For victims of financial abuse, pension scams, and investment fraud, compassion is not just a feeling — it’s a lifeline. Leading the charge for these victims are three remarkable women: Carly Barnes-Short, Sue Flood, and Margaret Snowdon OBE.
Together, they are transforming the fight for justice into a campaign grounded in empathy, resilience, and relentless advocacy. Their leadership brings emotional intelligence into a system long lacking it, proving that behind every statistic is a human story deserving of care and fairness.
Victims from Every Walk of Life
The victims these women fight for include pension savers, professional athletes, nurses, fireman and countless others. Their professions or backgrounds don’t matter — what unites them is the trauma and loss inflicted by fraud or financial abuse.
“They’re all human beings,” said a campaign member. “All being shown compassion, all fought for like family members.”
Carly Barnes-Short and Sue Flood: Dual Leaders, United by Compassion
Carly Barnes-Short leads the victim group from the world of sport, while Sue Flood champions victims from the pensions arena. Both have built powerful but very different support networks that fuel the campaign.
Carly has persuaded a glittering constellation of experts and parliamentarians to rally behind the cause — from senior MPs to top King’s Counsel (KC’s), leading financial advisors, police investigators, and more. These trusted figures play vital roles in pushing for policy reform and justice at the highest levels.
Meanwhile, Sue has mobilised a grassroots army of volunteers, the engine room of the campaign. These supporters, many victims themselves, have been essential in driving media campaigns, organising events, and offering peer support to those affected.
Despite their different spheres, Carly and Sue share a profound motivator: the victims themselves.
Both women personally take calls from victims in distress — conversations that have included helping multiple individuals through suicidal crises. For them, keeping people alive is the mission that fuels their sleepless nights and early mornings.
Their work is a decade-long sacrifice of their own money, careers, and precious time with family — all driven by the belief that no victim should face this fight alone.
Carly Barnes-Short: Legal Advocate and Strategic Heartbeat
Carly Barnes-Short is a lawyer and co-chair of the Investment Fraud Special Advisory Committee. While her own family has been touched by fraud, Carly’s commitment runs deeper. She has campaigned tirelessly for victims in sport and quickly extended her efforts to pension fraud victims and others once she learned of their plight.
She helped organise the “Enough is Enough” march in Westminster and played a vital role in establishing the Investment Fraud All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) and its inquiry into the unjust tax treatment of victims. Carly is a keynote speaker in Parliament and regularly attends key meetings with Treasury ministers and HMRC. Behind the scenes, she combines professionalism with heartfelt compassion, always advocating for victims’ rights.
From Sue Flood, a fellow campaigner and victim advocate:
“We are lost without Carly. She runs the whole strategy and keeps us moving forward no matter what. Never gives up. When we get a knockback, she’s the one who comes back with another way forward. I see all the work she does behind the scenes, often uncredited, and I want to thank her for never giving up on us victims.
Carly was already fighting hard for victims in the world of sport, but when she heard about our pension fraud struggles, she didn’t hesitate to step in and help. Her commitment goes beyond any single group — she truly sees all victims as her own, fighting tirelessly for justice no matter the background or circumstance. Her dedication helps me keep this fight alive.” Sue Flood.
Sue Flood: Brave Survivor and Media Powerhouse
Sue Flood is the emotional core of the campaign. A fraud survivor herself, she has turned her personal experience into powerful advocacy. Her background as a former BBC employee gives her media awareness that has been critical in leading the press campaign and shaping public awareness.
Sue’s leadership goes beyond the norm ! Behind the scenes, she has built a network with her daughters and friends to handle admin, media logistics, and organisation — a quiet but essential engine driving the campaign forward. Despite facing online abuse and resistance, Sue remains fearless and outspoken, always ready to call out institutional failures and stand up for victims, She helped organise the “Enough is Enough” march in Westminster alongside Carly .
“What people don’t realise is that Sue could have walked away from this at any time — but she hasn’t. She stayed, not for herself, but for every single victim she cares so deeply about. The amount of time, emotional energy, and even her own money she has poured into this campaign is staggering and deserves enormous gratitude. Without her, I couldn’t do what I do.
“Sue puts herself in the line of fire, not because she wants attention, but because she knows someone has to. Her courage gives others their voice. She makes people feel seen, heard, and believed — and that’s what keeps this campaign alive.” Carly Barnes-Short
Margaret Snowdon OBE: Integrity and Compassion in Governance
Margaret Snowdon OBE brings decades of experience in pensions and governance to the campaign. Recognised for her principled leadership, she bridges the gap between policy and the real human impact of pension fraud.
Pensions expert Henry Tapper recently wrote about Margaret’s tireless efforts to bring compassion to pension victims, a cause she has championed for years.
“Margaret embodies principled leadership—grounded in decades of experience and a steadfast commitment to fairness. She challenges powerful institutions not just with knowledge, but with integrity and empathy, reminding us that behind every pension or investment number, there’s a human life that deserves respect and protection.”
Her calm, non-confrontational tone commands respect in every room she enters. In a campaign often driven by raw emotion and injustice, Margaret brings clarity, steadiness, and strategy.
She has spent decades reforming broken systems — and has successfully changed the law before. That lived experience, combined with her reputation for fairness and integrity, makes her voice impossible to ignore in policy and regulatory circles.
“Margaret doesn’t shout to be heard — she doesn’t need to. Her decades of experience, quiet authority, and unwavering sense of justice make her one of the most effective forces for change in this space. She knows how to get things done because she’s done it before.” Carly Barnes-Short
Emotional Intelligence: The Heart of Their Leadership
What sets these women apart is not only their expertise but their emotional intelligence—the deep ability to understand, support, and fight for those who are vulnerable and struggling. Their leadership demands that victims be seen and heard, that fair tax treatment be more than a technicality, and that compassion be a cornerstone of reform.
Achievements and the Road Ahead
Thanks to their combined efforts, the campaign has:
* Launched a parliamentary inquiry into investment fraud and unfair tax treatment;
* Built a cross-party coalition of MPs, legal experts, and policy leaders;
* Supported hundreds of victims with pro bono support, advocacy, and media;
* Organised protests and secured critical meetings with Treasury ministers and HMRC;
* Pushed for fairer settlements prioritising affordability and compassion- an ongoing mission.
Yet the fight continues. These women are calling for systemic change that protects victims from unjust penalties and tax bills.
A Huge Thank You to All Supporters
Behind these incredible women is a vast network of dedicated supporters—experts, volunteers, parliamentarians, and campaigners—working together with compassion and commitment. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone standing with them in this vital fight for justice and fairness.
Final Word: A Campaign Led by Heart
To Carly Barnes-Short, Sue Flood, and Margaret Snowdon OBE — thank you.
For your courage, your commitment, and your compassion.
For fighting tirelessly, quietly, and boldly — for every victim who deserves justice.
Compassion is not weakness, but the greatest strength of all.
