Peter Darby Email & Phone Number

My career in countering fraud started in 1972 when I joined a fraud team (I joined one other investigator which made us a team) in the Ministry of Social Security. There was no structured training, you learnt on the job and picked up good and bad habits from others. I can vividly remember my first IUC having had all my evidence torn up in front of me by my female suspect and a rather large Alsatian dog let loose to attack me. Fortunately I escaped the dog. Lessons learned, dont let your suspect get their hands on your evidence, run background checks on suspects prior to interview (she had convictions for assaulting police officers) interview in pairs and in the office where necessary. Those of you that know me will know that I find a funny side to most things in life and even that experience had its comic moments - I only wish it had been video recorded for posterity but video cameras were a bit few and far between back then. Things that we take for granted now, the Fraud Act, the Data Protection Act, the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, the Human rights Act, the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act and a whole host of other criminal offence legislation was still to reach the Statute book. That was the start of my career in countering fraud and I never looked back, I had found my niche in my working life and I went on to investigate more complex cases working with the police and Other Government Departments along the way. Having started with what is now the Department for Work and Pensions I have had stints working with His Majesties Passport Office and Immigration finally being given the job of managing the Professionalism in Security (PINS) Project Team, turning HMG's aspirations outlined in the 1998 Green Paper 'Beating Fraud is Everyone's Business' into reality.In 2000 I decided to leave central government and start my own training company - we are still going strong delivering, accredited counter fraud programmes and courses. I have been very fortunate in my working life to have known and worked with some excellent people, many of whom are now firm friends. Apart from work and family my two interests are gardening and steam locomotives, both full sized and in model form. I always think I'm in good company with this hobby, Rod Stewart, Jools Holland and Frank Sinatra to name a few. It was only last year (2022) that I achieved what is my crowning glory of driving a steam engine and reaching the fantastic speed of 25mph which might not sound a lot but when you are in charge of a few tonnes of metal I can assure you it is!

Listed skills include Accredited Counter Fraud Specialist And Trainer. Counter Fraud Consultant, Management, Strategy, Training, and 14 others.

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  Guthlaxton Grammar School