THE PUBLIC SECTOR COUNTER FRAUD AWARDS 2025:
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 over 115 nominations this year, the most since the awards inception! All of them were of 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 will be opening shortly.

In collaboration with:

Award Sponsors:

THE 2025 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:

Isabella Naylor, Investigation Officer, Counter Fraud and Investigation team, Government Internal Audit Agency

Maisie Wade, Counter Fraud Officer, Referral and Scheduling Team, Government Internal Audit Agency

Matthew Peter Dales, Regional Investigations Officer, BEDS & HERTS Investigations Department for Work & Pensions

William Kenny, Economic Crime Manager, Department for Culture, Media and Sport

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.

Counter Fraud, Compliance and Debt, NDAS Delivery Hub – DWP

Integrated Risk & Intelligence Service (IRIS) - DWP

Melody Bell-Barnard, HMRC Fraud Investigation Service,  Change Practitioner, HMRC

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.

Becki Boyes, Fraud Risk Officer, NHSCFA

Sandra Simms, Investigator, Counter Fraud and Investigation team (CF&I), Government Internal Audit Agency (GIAA)

Shelley Osborne, Fraud Prevention Officer, Lambeth Council

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:

Erica Thompson, Head of Economic, Serious & Organised Crime (ESOC), DWP

Kelly Murphy, DWP

Laura Piggott, Counter Fraud Manager, London Borough of Hillingdon 

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.

Counter Fraud & Compliance - Enhanced Review Team - Department for Work and Pensions

DfT’s Data Science (Advanced Data Analytics Division) and DfT Group Finance (Financial Control and Counter Fraud) Teams

Integrated Risk & Intelligence Service (IRIS) - Department for Work and Pensions

Counter Fraud Data Analytics Programme - Network Rail Counter Fraud & Investigation Services Team

Oxford Investigation Service (OIS)

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.

Corporate Anti-Fraud Team, London Borough of Waltham Forest Council

Counter Fraud Team – London Borough of Hillingdon

Devon Assurance Partnership (DAP)

London Borough's Fraud Investigators Group (LBFIG)

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.

Alun Gordon, Lead Local Counter Fraud Specialist (LCFS) for Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust and former Lead at Wirral Community Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust 

Alex Cleland, Implementation lead, Anti-Money Laundering, Investigation and Enforcement Services, The Insolvency Service

Dr Elisabeth Carter, Associate Professor of Criminology, Kingston University London

Jane Ward, Department for Work and Pensions

Mark Sutcliffe, Head of Fraud Control, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Richard Rippin, Associate Director for Operational Services, 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.

Alex Rothwell, Chief Executive, NHS Counter Fraud Authority

Helen Swan, Department for Work and Pensions

Lisa Tonge, CFCD Commercial and Finance Lead, UCCF, Department for Work and Pensions

Scott Warner, Counter-Fraud Manager, Oxford Investigation Service

Outstanding NHS Initiative

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

Alun Gordon, Lead Local Counter Fraud Specialist (LCFS) for Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust and former Lead at Wirral Community Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust 

Enterprise Fraud Risk Assessment (EFRA) Project Group, NHS Counter Fraud Authority

Innovative approach to risk assessment, NHS Fraud and Security Management Service 

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.

Clue Software and NHSCFA

NECC Public Private Partnerships JMLIT+, Tax Crime and Evasion Threat Group, Organised Labour Fraud cell, co-chaired by HSBC and HMRC

Synectics Solutions, LBFIG and the NFI Polygamous Working Initiative

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.

Corporate Anti-Fraud Team (CAFT) - London Borough of Barnet

DESNZ Energy Affordability Fraud and Error Team

FIS , Economic Crime Operations, HMRC

HMRC and Gangmasters Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) Counter-Fraud Partnership

NHSCFA Fraud Hub

Operation Volcanic Investigation Team – Economic Serious and Organised Crime, Department for Work and Pensions

The North East ROCU High Harm Investigation Team

Celebrate with us!

The Winners in each category will be announced at the Gala Evening on 12th March, 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

    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

  • Steve Moss

    Description goHead of Anti-Crime - Audit Yorkshire - York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trustes here