Rebecca Hinchliffe plays a key role in Project Athena’s response team, using her extensive background in fraud investigation and regulatory compliance. We spoke to her to learn more about her journey, her work and what drives her.
Tell us about your background prior to joining the NHSCFA?
I began my career after earning a law degree at De Montfort University in Leicester. My first role was in litigation at a finance company, where I managed county court claims. I then spent ten years at Trading Standards, training as a Trading Standards Officer and qualifying as a Weights and Measures Inspector. This involved visiting businesses like pubs, shops and factories to ensure their scales and measuring equipment were accurate and compliant with regulations. My role in Trading Standards was varied and it was here where I started to investigate fraud.
After that, I joined Leicester City Council where I investigated areas such as council and business rates tax fraud and blue badge fraud. My next step was joining the Economic Crime Unit at Leicestershire Police, within their dedicated fraud team. As a Fraud Evaluator I reviewed all complex fraud allegations received by the force, conducted enquiries and applied the Fraud Investigation Model to determine the best course of action. Later, as a Fraud Investigator and Financial Intelligence Officer, I conducted extensive work on money laundering cases with elements of modern-day slavery, uncovering instances where trafficked individuals’ identities were used fraudulently.
What does your day-to-day work look like?
Right now, it’s all about laying the groundwork. Our Data Science team flag anomalies to us and we work with various organisations to piece together a clearer picture. It’s important to remember that not everything that looks like fraud is fraud. For example, some findings might point to poor policy or practice rather than malicious intent.
Part of my job is to identify loopholes and understand how they’re being exploited. I then work with policy leads to tighten these gaps and prevent future misuse. No two days are the same in my role, which keeps it exciting—I never get bored!
What’s the biggest challenge in your role?
The biggest challenge is developing a deep understanding of how the NHS operates—its funding streams, departmental structures and the appropriate protocols to follow. It’s a complex system and navigating it effectively is essential to achieving our goals.
How does the Fraud Investigation Model influence your work on Project Athena?
The Fraud Investigation Model (FIM) is an investigatory model specifically for fraud. It requires consideration of all appropriate outcomes, beyond just prosecution, such as disrupting fraud through prevention, detection and collaboration.
In my previous role as a Fraud Investigator, I applied this model to identify weaknesses in systems and policies, working to close systemic loopholes and minimise fraud risks. This proactive approach is what excites me most about Project Athena - it integrates all aspects of the FIM to tackle NHS fraud more effectively than ever before.
If you weren’t in this role, what would you be doing?
If I weren’t doing this, I’d probably be running a charity. I’ve always been passionate about volunteering. Over the years, I’ve interviewed GCSE students to help them develop interview skills, served as a school governor, assisted with a Brownies group and volunteered with the police. Giving back to the community has always been important to me and I’d love to continue that in some way if I weren’t in this role.