Rob Jones appointed interim director general of National Economic Crime Centre

Jones officially assumed the role on Monday 1 November, covering for Graeme Biggar CBE whom the Home Secretary Priti Patel appointed as director general of the National Crime Agency.

Biggar commented: “Many congratulations to Rob on his temporary promotion into the role of director general of the NECC. I’m grateful to him for stepping up to the task at this critical moment in tackling illicit finance and the key serious and organised crime threats. Rob will bring a wealth of experience and energy in this key role. I’m really looking to having him join the leadership team.”

Jones makes the move from his current role as director of the National Crime Agency’s Threat Leadership Command, which he has held since December 2018. The Leadership Command co-ordinates the national law enforcement response to key serious and organised crime threats, including organised immigration crime, modern slavery and human trafficking, drugs, firearms, child sexual abuse, border threats and cyber crime.

Commenting on his appointment, Jones informed Security Matters: “I’m delighted to have been appointed interim director general of the NECC and am looking forward to building on the already impressive work to date in establishing the organisation as a system leader in tackling economic crime. I’m particularly excited about being able to bring all of the elements of Threat Leadership together under one command.”

Both appointments provide stability and continuity while work is underway to selective a substantive director general of the National Crime Agency after Dame Lynne Owens stepped down on Monday 4 October.The competitive recruitment process for selecting a substantive director general is being led by the Home Office.