Jim Gee

Jim Gee has more than 20 years operational, policy and strategic experience as a counter fraud specialist operating in central and local government. He has also advised the House of Commons Social Security Select Committee and the Minister of State for Welfare Reform on counter fraud issues.

He joined the Department of Health in September 1998 as a Senior Civil Servant, to establish and head the new NHS Counter Fraud Service (NHS CFS), an organisation which he successfully argued should have a comprehensive strategic, policy and operational remit. Between 1999 and 2003 the NHS CFS has financially benefited the NHS to the tune of almost £300 million – a 15 : 1 return generated from a £20 million budget.

By means of the revision of policies and systems, through extensive communications work to develop a real anti-fraud culture and strong deterrent effect as a well as through operational work, significant improvements have been achieved. Detection rates have also been increased by more than 400%, there is a 98% successful prosecution rate and a more than 700% increase in monies recovered. Most importantly, NHS patient fraud losses have fallen from £171 million to £109 million (a 36% reduction) and fraud by professionals has also fallen in key areas by more than 35%.

In January 2003 he was appointed Chief Executive of the new Counter Fraud and Security Management Service (a Special Health Authority) with an expanded remit to cover security management in the NHS and to ensure the proper protection of NHS staff, patients, resources and property.

He is also Vice-Chair of the Counter Fraud Specialist Professional Accreditation Board and a member of the Editorial Board of 'Public Finance' magazine.