THE PUBLIC SECTOR COUNTER FRAUD AWARDS 2024:
THE SHORTLIST

Congratulations to the Finalists!

The Public Sector Counter Fraud Awards are designed to celebrate the fantastic work, commitment and innovation happening every day within the public sector counter fraud profession. 

We had a staggering 90 nominations this year, all of an exceptional standard, and we’d like to congratulate everyone whose name was put forward.

It’s been amazing to see the inspirational work that has taken place across the sector and just how many teams and individuals have gone the extra mile to create better outcomes for both government and citizens in the national fight against fraud.

Below are the shortlist of Finalists. Best of luck to everybody involved!

Tickets to join us at Gala Evening have already SOLD OUT, but you can join the waiting list here.

In collaboration with:

Award Sponsors:

THE 2024 FINALISTS ARE...

Apprentice or Newcomer of the Year

For the individual who has made impressive progress in a short space of time and shows huge potential to go further.

Sponsored by:

Armanda Naziri, Apprentice Fraud Investigator, London Borough of Newham

Dhruvisha Patel, Counter Fraud Intelligence Officer, London Borough of Brent

WINNER: Jake Hummerstone, Counter Fraud Apprentice. London Borough of Enfield

Champion for Culture & Inclusion

For the team or department that have led on actions to remove barriers, improve the working experience, engagement levels of employees and enable talented employees from underrepresented groups to realise their full potential.

FIS Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Working Group, HMRC

Claire Maillet PhD, Researcher, University of Portsmouth

WINNER: Project Falcon & Project Crane, Avon and Somerset Police

GCFP Member of the Year

Members of the Government Counter Fraud Profession who have demonstrated the values in the Profession’s Code of Conduct, and who have gone above and beyond.

WINNER: Alison Atkins, Senior Counter Fraud Manager, GIAA

WINNER: Graeme Bowers, Senior Counter Fraud Manager, GIAA

WINNER: Genette Hopley, Criminal Investigation Officer, HMRC

Gary Mitchell, Investigator, DWP Economic, Serious & Organised Crime Unit

Gary Perrin, Counter Fraud Shared Service (Lambeth & Croydon)

Female Pioneer of the Year

A remarkable individual whose achievements stand as a testament to her outstanding performance and the positive influence she has had on her organisation and the broader community.

Sponsored by:

Claire Jenkins MSc FCCA, Forensic Accountant, Companies House

WINNER: Joanne Hornsey, Investigator, HMRC

Julie Barnes, Chief Investigator, The Insolvency Service 

Pauline Smith MBE, Director of Action Fraud, City of London Police

Tricia Morrison, Director of Performance & Improvement, NHS Counter Fraud Authority

Innovation in Fraud Prevention

This award is designed to recognise an initiative that has been developed, implemented, and subsequently had a positive impact in preventing fraud or potential fraud activity.

Presented by:

WINNER: DWP - Counter Fraud -  Enhanced Review Team

Project Raven, Avon and Somerset Police

Oxford City Council

Innovative Approach to Risk Assessment, NHS Fraud and Security Management Service

Department for Work and Pensions: Fraud, Error and Debt Analysis team and the National Audit Office: Work and Pensions audit team

Local Excellence

The local excellence awards recognises the Local Authority and the people within them, whose innovative and singular determination to combat fraud has prevented public funds being stolen by fraudsters.

Lambeth Council Parking Investigations Team

Project Falcon, Avon and Somerset Police

Hertfordshire’s Shared Anti-Fraud Service

WINNER: The London Borough’s of Enfield and Waltham Forest Shared Anti-Fraud Service

Outstanding Contribution

This peer-nominated award recognises someone exceptional - innovators, passionate influencers, and those delivering real and positive change. An individual who has been influential and has significantly contributed to making a visible difference to Counter Fraud during their career to date.

Lee Sheridan, Head of Gloucestershire NHS Counter Fraud Service, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

WINNER: Rachael Tiffen, Director of Public Sector & Learning, Cifas

Richard Rippin, Head of Operations and Engagement, NHS Counter Fraud Authority  

Outstanding Leadership

This award is for the individuals of any grade who is an effective leader, motivates others to deliver to their potential and manages projects and/or teams to deliver improved outcomes.

Jo West, Head of Fraud Investigation Analysis, HMRC

Jorij Abraham, Managing Director, Global Anti-Scam Alliance

WINNER: Richard Moore, Senior Leader for North East England and the Enhanced Review Team, CFCD, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)    

Tim Barlow, Senior Fraud Risk Officer, NHS Counter Fraud Authority

Outstanding NHS Initiative

The winner of this award will exemplify innovation, dedication, and effectiveness in tackling fraud-related challenges within the NHS.

Innovative Approach to Risk Assessment, NHS Fraud and Security Management Service

WINNER: Gareth Cottrell for The Development of the Counter Fraud Champion Role in the NHS

Public - Private Partnership Excellence

This award seeks to identify and promote public / private engagements that whose best practice, learning and approaches have brought better value for money for the taxpayer.

Hertfordshire’s Shared Anti-Fraud Service and NEC Software Solutions

HMPPS and the Banking Industry

WINNER: National Fraud Initiative (NFI) Team and Synectics Solutions

Team of the Year 

The Team of the Year Award has been designed to recognise each and every member of the team and show how their teamwork has led to success and their consistent service.

Counter Fraud Investigator Apprenticeship Team, Department for Work and Pensions

Economic Crime (Operations), HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service

WINNER: Energy Price Guarantee (EPG), Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

NAFN Data and Intelligence Services

Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) Counter Fraud Team

Celebrate with us!

The Winners in each category will be announced at the SOLD OUT Gala Evening on 22nd February, at the QEII Centre in London as part of a glamorous night of celebration.

>17:30 Networking Drinks & Canapés

>18:30 Awards Ceremony

>20:30 Carriages

Dress code: Business attire with a hint of glitz. See photos of last year’s Gala evening here.

Thank You to This Year's Judging Panel

  • Holly Lawton, ESFA

    Holly Lawton

    Deputy Director, Finance Provider Market Oversight (Counter Fraud & Prevention), Education & Skills Funding Agency

  • Prof. Mark Button, University of Portsmouth

    Prof. Mark Button

    Director of the Centre for Counter Fraud Studies, University of Portsmouth

  • Lucy Appleton, DWP

    Lucy Appleton

    Deputy Director Strategy Implementation & Assurance, Fraud, Error and Debt, Department for Work and Pensions, Counter Fraud & Compliance Directorate

  • Michael Cassel, London Borough of Brent

    Michael Cassel

    Counter Fraud Manager, Audit & Investigation Service, London Borough of Brent

  • Dr Elisabeth Carter, Kingston University

    Dr Elisabeth Carter

    Associate Professor of Criminology, Kingston University

  • Dave Magrath, The Insolvency Service

    Dave Magrath

    Director, Investigation and Enforcement Services, The Insolvency Service

  • Jen Owens, GIAA

    Jen Owens

    Senior Counter Fraud Manager, Counter Fraud and Investigation, Government Internal Audit Agency