Dr Bernard Herdan CB has been appointed as Chief Executive of the new National Fraud Strategic Authority (NFSA).
He will take up the post on 1 April, succeeding interim chief executive Sandra Quinn, who is on secondment from the Financial Services Authority.
Dr Herdan will take forward the development of the NFSA, which became operational in October last year, in its crucial work in co-ordinating anti-fraud activities across the public, private and voluntary sectors. Supported by the NFSA, the Government will unveil a first national fraud strategy next month.
The NFSA is an executive agency of the Attorney General’s Office.
Baroness Scotland the Attorney General said: “The leadership and support of the NFSA is fundamental to achieving successful delivery of the Fraud Review’s recommendations and new national fraud strategy. The NFSA has a key role in ensuring co-operation in fighting the menace of fraud. Within months of its launch, the NFSA is already starting deliver on its key objective – to co-ordinate activity across the economy and criminal justice system so that we increase the effectiveness of deterring, detecting and sanctioning of fraudsters and achieve meaningful redress for their victims.
“I want to express my thanks to Sandra Quinn for her impressive stewardship of the NFSA’s early days and her energy in bringing it into existence, and for developing the national fraud strategy that we will be launching in March. I would also like to thank the FSA for her loan, which is an example of the close partnership working which underpins our fight against fraud. I look forward to working closely with Bernard and the NFSA team in building on the excellent relationships which we have created across Government and business.”
Bernard Herdan said: “I am honoured and delighted to be entrusted with taking forward the crucial work of the NFSA, spearheading the fight against fraud in this country. The aim is to make the UK a hostile environment for the fraudster and I will be committed to working with partners in the public and private sectors to make this a reality.”
Sandra Quinn said: “It has been a privilege and a pleasure to help bring the NFSA into existence. I have always had a focus on delivery and the NFSA is already beginning to deliver on its mandate. I look forward to continuing to support its strategic direction and momentum and I wish Bernard and the team well in taking the NFSA from strength to strength.”
