Aviva’s Head of Fraud, Tom Gardiner, has been appointed as the new chair of the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) Technical Board. Tom takes over from Richard Davies, who will remain on the IFB Technical Board.
With over 25 years of experience working with fraud and claims at Aviva, Tom brings experience in fraud management. He’s worked as Head of Claims Fraud, Risk and Governance and Head of Bodily Injury Claims. Tom has a long-standing association with the IFB and has been involved since it was founded, prior to joining the Technical Board in early 2015.
The Technical Board, established in 2011, comprises of representatives of IFB members from across the industry. The board’s role is to advise and assist the development of IFB initiatives and counter-fraud products.
Tom Gardiner said: “I’m very pleased to have the opportunity to continue to work closely with the IFB in this role – and I look forward to the Technical Board helping the IFB deliver its strategy for the industry at such an important and exciting time.”
And Ben Fletcher, Director of IFB, said: “The Technical Board is an integral part of the IFB and the members play a key role in determining the direction of the IFB. I look forward to working with Tom to support the delivery of key milestones, which includes supporting the implementation of the new IFB strategic direction.”
Meanwhile Amanda Blanc, CEO of AXA UK and Ireland General Insurance, has been appointed as the new chair of the IFB. Blanc, formally appointed on March 30, follows John O’Roarke who stepped down after three years.
Appointed to the AXA Board in 2011 as Chief Executive of AXA Insurance Commercial Lines, Blanc has seen her responsibility extend twice; the first time in 2012 where she assumed responsibility for the Personal Intermediary division and then again in 2016 when she assumed responsibility for all of AXA UK & Ireland General Insurance. Previous experience includes senior roles at Commercial Union, Groupama and Towergate Partnership where she was Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer.
Amanda Blanc said: “Fraud is a persistent problem, not just in insurance but in every facet of the UK economy and the IFB is a vital industry tool that we can all use to prevent fraudsters from profiting from their activity and ensuring that we can protect honest customers from the impact of fraud.
“The strategic review and consultation undertaken last year culminated in an industry agreement to extend the remit of the IFB. In progressing that remit, my focus this year will be upon supporting the executive team in meeting those strategic objectives, issuing products in Property and Liability, amending the legal rules and delivering the new funding model for 2017.”
