Mark Cheeseman OBE has been confirmed as the permanently appointed Chief Executive of the Public Sector Fraud Authority, following open competition and after undertaking this position on an interim basis. Mark will lead the Authority in cross-government efforts to work with public bodies to improve capability in dealing with fraud and economic crime against the public sector.
Mark is an internationally recognised expert in public sector fraud, having led the creation of the world's first Counter Fraud Profession and the set up of the International Public Sector Fraud Forum for the UK with Five Eyes countries. This forum is a collaboration between Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States and the United Kingdom to share, agree and publish best practice on fraud management in the public sector.
Mark has led a number of innovative initiatives in public sector fraud, including the establishment of the Government Counter Fraud Function, and the first ever standards for fraud risk assessment, fraud leadership and fraud measurement. Prior to taking up the position of CEO in the Public Sector Fraud Authority, Mark held senior roles in the centre of expertise for counter fraud in the Cabinet Office, and was the Head of Counter Fraud in the Legal Aid Agency. From 2019 to 2022, Mark was a Special Advisor to the Australian Commonwealth Fraud Prevention Centre, which involved working with the Australian government to set up and develop the centre.
Baroness Neville-Rolfe said:
As we continue to step up our fight against fraud, we are delighted to appoint Mark Cheeseman as the permanent Chief Executive of the Public Sector Fraud Authority.
Mark's expertise and proven success as a counter-fraud leader has already been invaluable in delivering an extremely successful first year of the PSFA, and I know he will maintain that momentum and further strengthen the government's fraud defences.
Mark was selected based on his fantastic depth of experience, including working internationally on public sector fraud, as well as his clear drive to develop a government counter fraud profession of the highest standard.
I look forward to working alongside Mark and the PSFA team to ensure the whole of government is working in sync to protect taxpayer money from criminals.
Alex Chisholm, Civil Service Chief Operating Officer and Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary said:
As the Chief Executive of the Public Sector Fraud Authority, Mark will bring his extensive experience to bear in leading cross-Government activity to counter fraud. I look forward to working with him on this important agenda.
Mark Cheeseman, Public Sector Fraud Authority Chief Executive said:
It is an honour to have been asked to lead the government's new Public Sector Fraud Authority. The Authority will work closely with public bodies to better understand and reduce the impact of fraud against the public sector. I look forward to bringing together and working with experts in the Authority and across sectors to increasingly use cutting edge tools, techniques and technology to better prevent and respond to fraud against our public services.
