Tom Hayhoe appointed chair of NHS Counter Fraud Authority

Posted to News on Sunday, May 3, 2026 Share:

TOM HAYHOE has been appointed chair of the National Health Service Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA) for three years from 1 May. The NHSCFA leads on fighting fraud and other economic crime across the National Health Service and the wider health group.

Hayhoe brings significant experience in health, scrutiny, procurement and commercial negotiations to the role. His previous roles include chair of the West Middlesex University Hospital, Investigating Committee chair on the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s Fitness to Practise Panel, chair of the West London National Health Service (NHS) Trust and senior positions at WH Smith and McKinsey. Hayhoe was also the COVID Counter-Fraud Commissioner for one year up until the end of 2025.

Commenting on his new role, Hayhoe stated: “I’m delighted to have been appointed as the new chair of the NHSCFA. The NHSCFA is continuing to ensure fraud resilience is built into NHS systems and help enable NHS funds to go to where they are needed most: patient care.”

Alex Rothwell, CEO of the NHSCFA, responded: “We’re looking forward to working with Tom, who brings a wealth of expertise to the NHSCFA. Tom’s knowledge will support us with our aim of working together to understand, find and prevent fraud, bribery and corruption in the NHS.”

Centre of Excellence

The NHSCFA is a Centre of Excellence employing specialists in intelligence, fraud prevention, computer forensics, fraud investigation, financial investigation, data analysis and communications. The organisation provides a range of specialised services to tackle NHS fraud.

As an intelligence-led organisation, the NHSCFA uses a wide range of information to build a more accurate picture of the fraud risks facing the NHS in order to inform preventative action and support investigations.

The NHSCFA investigates the most serious, complex and high-profile cases of fraud and works closely with the police and the Crown Prosecution Service to bring offenders to justice. Its specialist financial investigators have the powers to recover NHS money lost to fraud. The digital forensics computing team collects and analyses digital evidence.

Targeted solutions

The NHSCFA develops a range of targeted fraud prevention solutions to address identified fraud risks. These solutions may include reviewing and redesigning whole systems or developing tailored guidance or other solutions.

The Fraud Hub has been developed to act as the focal point of contact between the NHSCFA and the counter fraud community across the NHS. Its purpose is to support and enable health bodies to tackle fraud in the most effective manner.

*Further information is available online at www.cfa.nhs.uk