In an official statement issued by the Attorney General’s Office, Baroness Patricia Scotland asserts that Herdan will take up the post on 1 April, thereby succeeding interim chief executive Sandra Quinn (presently on secondment from the Financial Services Authority).
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, itself an executive agency of the Attorney General’s Office, the Government will unveil its inaugural National Fraud Strategy within the next month.
National Fraud Strategy in place
Commenting on Herdan’s appointment, Baroness Scotland said: “The leadership and support of the NFSA is fundamental to achieving the successful delivery of the Fraud Review’s recommendations and the 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 to deliver on its key objective – to co-ordinate activity across the economy and criminal justice system so that we increase the effectiveness of detecting, deterring and sanctioning of fraudsters, and achieve meaningful redress for their victims.”
Baroness Scotland added: “I want to express my sincere thanks to Sandra Quinn for her impressive stewardship of the NFSA’s early days, her energy in bringing it into existence and for developing the National Fraud Strategy. 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.”
In conclusion, the Baroness said: “I’m looking forward to working alongside Bernard and the NFSA team in building on the excellent relationships which we have created across Government and business.”
Spearheading the fight against fraud
In response, Bernard Herdan commented: “I am both honoured and delighted to be entrusted with taking forward the crucial work of the NFSA, and spearheading the fight against fraud in this country. The aim is to make the UK a hostile environment for the fraudster, and I shall be fully committed to working with partner organisations in the public and private sectors to make that situation a reality.”
Bowing out from her interim secondment, Sandra Quinn added: “It has been a privilege and a pleasure to help bring the NFSA into existence. I’ve always had a focus on delivery, and the NFSA is already beginning to deliver on its mandate. I very much look forward to continuing my support of the organisation’s strategic direction and momentum, and I wish Bernard and the team well in taking the NFSA from strength to strength.”
An impressive Curriculum Vitae
Herdan was appointed interim chief executive at the Security Industry Authority (SIA) by chairman Baroness Henig on 11 November last year to serve until such time as a full-time appointment could be made.
He was previously appointed executive director of service delivery for the Identity and Passport Service in April 2006, having served as chief executive of the UK Passport Agency from September 1999. In this post, Herdan also assumed responsibility for the establishment and initial operations of the Criminal Record Bureau until it became a separate Government agency in September 2003.
Herdan has also served as the chief executive of the Driving Standards Agency, commercial director of the Met Office, managing director of Defence Technology Enterprises, managing consultant at BIS-Mackintosh and broadcast satellites programme manager with the European Space Agency.
Bernard has an MA from Cambridge University, a Diploma in Management Studies, is a Chartered Engineer by profession and a member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers.
Non-executive director roles
Herdan has held non-executive director positions on several company Boards in the UK and USA, and is currently a member of the Board and deputy chairman of the Bedford Hospital NHS Trust. He was appointed by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to lead the Review of the Charter Mark scheme.
The permanent role of chief executive at the SIA is being advertised in the national press this weekend. The new permanent chief executive of the Regulator will be the third since its launch in April 2003, the previous incumbents being Mike Wilson and John Saunders.
Andy Drane, of course, served as acting chief executive between Saunders’ departure and Wilson joining the organisation.
SMT Online Exclusive
SMT Online’s Editor Brian Sims will be conducting the industry’s first interview with Bernard Herdan next Wednesday (11 February) for publication two days later. To make sure you have access to the interview, sign up to the i4s daily and weekly updates by clicking on the links at the foot of this page