Assurant Solutions's Head of Fraud Investigations has been appointed Chairperson of the CIFAS Insurance Sector Working Party.

In this role, which starts with immediate effect, Peter Clancy’s focus for CIFAS, the UK’s not for profit fraud prevention service, will be bringing the insurance market together to develop counter-fraud initiatives.

Speaking on the appointment Peter Clancy said: “I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity and looking forward to playing a central role in addressing the impact of fraud within the insurance market over the next 12 months.  One of the focuses for next year is on pooling information and looking at how members can make best use of data in preventing fraud.”

A former Detective Sergeant in the Northants Police, Peter's past experience and current insight into fraud prevention within the mobile phone insurance market at Assurant Solutions stands him in good stead for the role. His aim is to create further opportunities for data sharing, generating more openness and co-operation across the industry to help counter fraud intelligence.

CIFAS members include those from a wide range of sectors, including insurers and insurance administrators some of whom participate in the Insurance party working group.  Peter also has plans to involve fraud experts from other areas of the private and public sector so the insurance industry can benefit from successful and innovative practice elsewhere.

Peter adds: “We all have our roles to play and in a fast-paced digital world I believe by working together we can do more to ensure that insurance is less vulnerable to the effects of fraudsters.”

CIFAS Communications Manager, Richard Hurley, said: “We welcome Peter Clancy’s appointment to the Chair of this working party.  His wide experience and enthusiasm for fraud prevention and data sharing make him ideal for the role. We look forward to working with him in his new role.”

The CIFAS Insurance Sector Working Party currently meets four times a year in London.  For more information on CIFAS or on becoming a member:http://www.cifas.org.uk/