Tell us a little bit about your network (inc. when you were founded, why, how many members and who leads the network)
The Fraud Women’s Network brings together women involved in all aspects of fraud prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution to network and share best practices in order to tackle the threat from fraud and organised crime head on. We were founded back in 2007 by our Chairwoman Toni Sless and Director Katy Worobec. We have more than 120 full time members who encompass many years of fraud prevention expertise.
We are listed as one of the 100 Awesome Networks to join and were also shortlisted for an Inclusive Network award in 2015.
What is your network’s prime objective?
Our primary objective is to allow women to get together to network and share best practice for fraud prevention in an informal environment. We hold regular mentoring dinners with senior female fraud professionals for them to pass on their knowledge and experience in the sector.
How is your network helping women to progress in the workplace?
FWN provides many different types of events throughout the year which are designed to provide attendees with knowledge they can feed back to their team. Our mentoring dinners also allow women to understand the career paths of more senior female fraud professionals with tips on how to move through their career.
What type of events does your network run?
We run a number of events throughout the year. From our annual event which this year is focusing on Fraud and Counter Terrorism, to small evening events covering topics such as The Art of Fraud, Why Public Sector Fraud Matters, Insider Fraud and Demystifying offshore fraud investigations. And as mentioned above, our mentoring dinners are always very popular and quickly sell out.
What are the benefits of joining your network?
The main benefit has to be meeting and networking with fraud prevention peers and increasing your knowledge base on this topic. We provide our members with important tools to help assist them in the fight against organised crime and fraud.
How do our members join your network?
Members can join online and pay a small annual fee which includes entry to many of our events throughout the year.
What advice would you give to anyone who is joining a network for the first time?
Jump in there and attend as many as events as you can. You will only get out of a network what you put in. There will be lots of interesting people who are worth networking with and can help to develop your knowledge base and career.
Any top tips for new networkers? Why is building your network important?
It can be quite daunting entering a room where you don’t know anyone, but everyone has been in the same position in the past and understands! Find someone else who looks like they are on their own and introduce yourself and it will be much easier from there!
Building your network can be incredibly important for your career as you meet people who can help you develop your skills and you build that all important contact base you can pull on when you may need someone else’s skills.
Is your network for senior individuals only? Do you have to be a particular level to join?
Our network is inclusive to all women, regardless of their level of seniority.
Finally, what’s next for your network?
Our feedback consistently proves that we’re offering the right type of events to our members so we intend to continue putting on interesting and exciting events that our members will enjoy.
