Perpetuity, the consultancy behind the OSPAs (Outstanding Security Performance Awards), have launched the Tackling Economic Crime Awards (TECAs).
As the organisers say, economic crime has an impact on the UK economy; with an estimated 3.24 million fraud offences taking place year ending March 2018 (according to the Office of National Statistics in 2018). Hence these awards, to acknowledge those who make a significant contribution in driving out any area of economic crime, such as fraud, money laundering, bribery and corruption. The TECAs are independent – with associations and groups supporting the awards including:
· Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)
· Cabinet Office
· Centre for Counter Fraud Studies, University of Portsmouth
· Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)
· CIFAS
· City of London Police
· Fraud Advisory Panel
· Insurance Fraud Bureau
· London Fraud Forum
· North East Fraud Forum
· Serious Fraud Office; and
· UK Finance.
Judges are nominated by these groups and include City of London Police Commissioner Ian Dyson QPM; Katy Worobec, Managing Director, Economic Crime at UK Finance; Prof Mark Button of the University of Portsmouth.
Prof Martin Gill, founder of the TECAs, pictured, said: “The TECAs have been developed to be different; to be independent, ethical and to provide a level playing field. They focus on outstanding people, teams, initiatives and companies within the public, private and third sectors – committed to tackling any area of economic crime. The judging process is rigorous and robust, and the esteemed panel of judges will review and score entries independently, ensuring that only the very best are selected as finalists and winners.”
The TECAs will be presented at an awards dinner, in central London on Monday, December 9. The inaugural awards are sponsored by fraud technology provider Altia-ABM and their COO, Rob Sinclair said: “We are proud to be associated with this initiative and delighted to be sponsoring the 2019 awards. Economic crime has an impact on everyone, and those who have shown leadership and innovation to desist this area of crime deserve to be recognised for their achievements.”
Entry to the awards will open on April 2 and anyone working in, or from the UK can enter – with nominations invited in 14 categories. More details at https://thetecas.com/.
