THE PUBLIC SECTOR COUNTER FRAUD AWARDS
- THE SHORTLIST 2026 -

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Congratulations to the Finalists!

We had over 130 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.

Below is the 2026 Shortlist.

Best of luck to everybody involved for Gala evening!

In collaboration with:

AND THE 2026 SHORTLIST IS...

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.

Clare Moran, Fraud Investigator, CFCD, Department for Work and Pensions
Erin Ballantyne, Fraud Officer, Infected Blood Compensation Authority
Jasmine Bell, Counter Fraud Intelligence Officer, Hertfordshire Shared Anti-Fraud Service (SAFS)
Phoebe O'Hara, Criminal Investigator, Department for Work and Pensions

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.

Customer Experience, Attraction and Retention Team, CFCD, Department for Work and Pensions
People & Culture Team, CFCD, Department for Work and Pensions

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.

Cheryl Hill, Deputy Head of Counter Fraud Service Wales
Christine Caine, Deputy Director Counter Fraud Operations, Department for Work and Pensions
Emma Cathcart, Head of Service, Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit
Kam Johal, Investigation Services Manager, Barts Health NHS Trust
Stephanie Toghill, Head of Housing Investigations, London Borough of Islington; Vice-Chair of the Tenancy Fraud Forum; and Exec Committee Member for the London Borough Fraud Investigators Group

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.

Integrated Risk and Intelligence Service / Enhanced Review Team partnership, DWP
Essex Digital Multi Agency Approach to Fraud
Hertfordshire Shared Anti-Fraud Service (SAFS)
Olly Bellamy, Cybercrime Technical Investigator, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC
Project Corfu, Ofgem’s Counter Fraud and Audit Triage teams
The Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) Fraud Team
The National Right to Buy (RTB) Anti-Fraud Service - NAFN Data and Intelligence Services in collaboration with National Hunter

Local Excellence

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

Bedford Borough Councils Investigations Service
Herfordshire Shared Anti-Fraud Service (SAFS)
Counter Fraud Team - London Borough of Hillingdon
The National Anti-Fraud Network (NAFN), hosted by Tameside Council
Vicki Gaulter, Fraud Investigator, NW & W, CFCD, DWP
Warrington and Salford Joint Counter Fraud Unit

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.

Dr Emma Folly, Senior Fraud prevention Officer, NHS Counter Fraud Authority
George Loosley, Senior Fraud Risk Assessor, Department for Education
Mark Astley, Head of NAFN Data and Intelligence Services
Mark Robinson, Counter Fraud Manager (retired), Government Internal Audit Agency
Michael Betts, Capability Lead and Head of Centre GCFP

Outstanding Leadership

This award is for the individual 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.

Heidi Flux, Senior Leader, CFCD Southern, DWP
Lindsay Tickle, Head of DWP CFCD National Delivery and Assurance Service (NDAS)
Michael Betts, Capability Lead and Head of Centre GCFP
Neil Green, Deputy Director, Counter Fraud and Investigation Team, Government Internal Audit Agency

Outstanding NHS Initiative

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

Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) Anti-Fraud Unit (AFU)
Fraud and Security Management Service, NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB
NHS Counter Fraud Service (CFS) Wales

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.

Bedford Borough Council and bpha - Tenancy Fraud Partnership
Invest NI and SureCert – SureScore Corporate Due Diligence Partnership
Network Rail - Counter Fraud and Investigation Service and KPMG - Contract Compliance Services
The National Right to Buy Anti-Fraud Service, National Anti-Fraud Network (NAFN), hosted by Tameside Council, and National Hunter

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.

Hertfordshire Shared Anti-Fraud Service (SAFS)
Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit Partnership (CFEU) - Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Borough and Cotswold, Forest of Dean, Stroud and West Oxfordshire District Councils
Counter Fraud Team - London Borough of Hillingdon
ERSOU Proactive Economic Crime Team (PECT)
NAFN Data and Intelligence Services, Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council
Operation ‘A’ Enhanced Review Team Campaign - CFCD, DWP
The GIAA Counter Fraud and Investigation Team

Celebrate with us!

The Winners in each category will be announced at the Gala Evening on 26th 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 Judges

Holly Lawton

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

Director of the Centre for Cybercrime and Economic Crime, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Portsmouth
Associate Professor of Criminology, Kingston University

Associate Professor of Criminology, Kingston University
Steve Moss

Head of Anti-Crime Services, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Jen Owens

Head of Counter Fraud, Government Internal Audit Agency
Dave McGrath

Director of Investigation and Enforcement Services, The Insolvency Service
Rachael Tiffen

DescriptioDirector, Learning & Public Sector, Cifasn goes here
Lucy Appleton

Deputy Director of Fraud, Error and Debt Strategy, Department for Work and Pensions