Harrison is currently the National Fraud Authority’s (NFA) director of policy and strategy.
He began his civil service career in HM Treasury, moving to the Home Office in 1993 where his work included redesigning the organisation structure and programme governance for security planning for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Harrison has also been director of policy at the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) and spent three years as private secretary to the Home Secretary (covering criminal policy and the prison and probation services).
At the NFA, Harrison has been responsible for leading policy work on organised crime, cyber crime and the future of the enforcement landscape as well as initiatives aimed at disrupting and punishing fraudsters. He has been central to building the relationship between the NFA and City of London Police, the national lead force for fraud.
In 2010, Harrison led the cross-Government team reporting to the independent chair of the Public Sector Fraud Taskforce, identifying and making recommendations on ways to reduce fraud against the public sector, and laying the foundation for the work of the cross-Government Public Sector Taskforce for which the NFA now provides secretariat and support.
He’s also well known to the private sector, most recently working alongside the insurance industry to develop its new dedicated police enforcement unit and speaking at numerous conferences and events.
Bernard Herdan is leaving at the end of his contract to return to the portfolio career he was pursuing before joining the NFA. His distinguished 21-year career in the civil service includes time spent as CEO at the Driving Standards Agency, the Criminal Records Bureau and also at the UK Passport Service.
He was also, of course, interim CEO of the Security Industry Authority.
From September, he will be undertaking trustee and non-executive roles in the voluntary and public sectors.
Dr Bernard Herdan told SMT Online: “I was invited to become the NFA’s first chief executive when the organisation was in its infancy and the first national fraud strategy had just been published. I am proud to have led the NFA from those early beginnings to a fully fledged organisation with numerous successes under our belt and a sustainable long term future. I have worked with Stephen for many years both at the NFA and IPS, and know the NFA will continue to prosper under his guidance”.
Stephen Harrison said: “I am honoured and delighted to be taking forward the crucial work of the NFA, leading the fight against fraud in this country. Over the last two years we have established ourselves as an important part of the UK’s counter fraud community. I look forward to continuing our good work to protect society from fraud and strengthening our positive working relationships with partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors.”
