Fraud prevention service Cifas appoints John Browett as organisation’s new chair

He has extensive experience of transforming and strengthening the position of some of the UK’s most popular retailers. At Dixons, Browett was responsible for driving the company’s five-year transformation strategy and oversaw the successful merger of the Dixons Retail business to form Currys PC World.

Prior to this, Browett played a key role in the major transformation of the Tesco operating model, launching and overseeing the retailer’s Tesco.com online operation.

Browett succeeds Lady Barbara Judge who had already announced her intention to stand down as chair of Cifas at the end of 2020, but who sadly passed away at the end of last month.

Commenting on his appointment, Browett said: “I’m delighted to be joining Cifas as chair. The organisation plays a critical role in combating fraud in the UK and I’m looking forward to helping Mike Haley and his team in developing the services offered by Cifas.”

Arnold Wagner, acting chair of Cifas, responded: “My Board colleagues and I are delighted that John has accepted our offer to lead the Cifas Board. He brings a wealth of senior level executive achievement as well as diverse non-executive experience to the role. We look forward to working with him in supporting the ongoing development of Cifas to meet and combat the continuing threat and impact of fraud.”

Mike Haley, the CEO at Cifas, added: “The evolving threat of fraud brought about by the recent pandemic and ongoing economic uncertainty means that Cifas has an even greater role to play in supporting its members and the wider fraud prevention community. John’s extensive business experience and strong leadership qualities will play an important part in helping us to strengthen our services during this time, as well as grow our business as we continue to invest in our membership offer, technology and products.”

Cifas is an independent, not-for-profit membership organisation that protects businesses and individuals through effective and secure data and intelligence sharing between the private, public and third sectors. In 2018, Cifas member organisations prevented over £1.4 billion of fraud losses.

Cifas data is included in the Office for National Statistics’ Crime Statistics for England and Wales which outlines the extent of police-recorded crime, with the organisation continually working alongside law enforcement agencies in tackling fraud.