Darrell Thomson Email & Phone Number

Edinburgh, Scotland, Gb

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Manage a team of Counter Fraud Specialist involved in the investigation of complex fraud, bribery and corruption, theft, embezzlement and other financial irregularities.Liaise with the Senior Management Team to ensure that corporate objectives and KPI's are met.Liaise with the various Health Boards and ensure that all investigations meet the required time scales.As part of continuous professional development, keep up to date with changes in the law, and technical and professional developments, while maintaining excellent communication with peer group and senior management to ensure high standards.Contribute to the development and delivery of an integrated programme of professional development and support for investigative staff, providing technical and legal expertise to support and enhance the professional reputation of the organisation.Prepare and disseminate clear concise and accurate management reports often involving highly complex and sensitive information. Communicate highly complex information regarding the investigation and analysis of fraud and other financial irregularities.

Lead a portfolio of investigations involving complex fraud, bribery and corruption, theft, embezzlement and other financial crimes on behalf of the NHS in Scotland.Manage the investigation of offences, ensuring the use of all relevant resources to achieve, where appropriate, the legal arrest, interviewing and charging of persons suspected of involvement in offences. Ensure that all counter fraud work carried out remains within the parameters set by the Data Protection and the Human Rights Acts.Conduct complex internal investigations into NHS Scotland employees and contractors.Prepare subject reports for search warrants for submission, through Procurator Fiscals, to Sheriffs and in conjunction with Police Scotland, conduct searches under warrant, to seize any evidence which may be relevant to the ongoing investigation into criminal activities. Where appropriate, conduct recorded interviews under caution and manage the preparation of final reports in respect of criminal prosecutions for submission to the COPFS.Contribute to the implementation of the strategy for identifying and dealing with the risk of fraud within the NHS in Scotland. Review practices and methods of working to ensure effectiveness and achieve delivery of optimum results to the service.Represent the NHS in Scotland at criminal, civil, regulatory and employment disciplinary hearings.Produce high quality reports at the completion of each investigation, clearly outlining the findings, conclusions and recommendations identified.Provide fraud awareness briefings to Senior Management Teams, staff and contractors.

I provided a full and comprehensive Counter Fraud function to protect the Council from fraud and employee corruption. I managed and led fraud investigations re-actively and providing a pro-active service to staff in customer focused areas. During this time I worked closely with DWP FIU counterparts and assisted in pre-court restraints under POCA.

During this period I carried out two different roles for North Ayrshire Council. My first was attached to the local Department for Work and Pensions office where I was tasked with making direct benefit deductions for repayment of Council Tax. I received full training on a number of DWP systems and key benefits. I was then promoted to Debt Advice/Welfare Rights role where I assisted members of the public with debt issues.