New Year Honours spotlight leaders at the National Crime Agency for risk-mitigation and financial crime work
London — A slate of National Crime Agency officers have been recognised in the New Year Honours for their leadership in tackling serious crime,including cyber-enabled financial crime and border investigations. The awards underscore a broad shift within the agency toward eradicating high-harm criminal networks while safeguarding the public from digital-era threats.
Among those honoured, Kay Taylor, director of legal services, received the Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for steering numerous high-profile prosecutions and supporting major investigations such as the EncroChat case and Operation Stovewood, the long-running inquiry into child sexual abuse in Rotherham. taylor,50,has been celebrated for securing “countless convictions” against organised criminals.
Fiona Nicolson, a veteran leader in financial crime suppression, was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). At 61, Nicolson is described as a trailblazer who advanced mechanisms for spotting high-harm financial criminals. her work contributed to asset seizures worth hundreds of millions of pounds, with proceeds returned to victims.
meanwhile, Samantha De Souza, the Home Office’s program director for economic and cybercrime, received an Officer of the Order of the British empire (OBE) in recognition of outstanding public service. De Souza’s role sits at the intersection of policy and operational delivery as cybercrime threats evolve.
Two co-founders of Capslock,a training provider focused on cybersecurity,were also honoured with MBEs: Lorna Armitage and Andrea Cullen. Cullen underscored that the recognition reflects a broader push to make cybersecurity accessible and inclusive across the industry.
The honours also highlighted five other NCA officers whose MBEs were announced, though their identities were not disclosed due to the sensitive nature of their work. NCA Director General Graeme Biggar stated that the honours reflect the officers’ remarkable dedication to victims and public safety.
“These honours are well deserved by the officers, who have truly gone above and beyond to support victims and protect the public from the most serious and harmful crime,” Biggar said. “These officers represent the very best qualities of all officers working so hard across the National Crime Agency, and I am immensely proud of all that they have achieved.”
Beyond the agency’s remit on cybercrime, the New Year Honours draw attention to the broader fight against economic crime.The Home Office’s cybersecurity and economic crime agenda continues to evolve as digital threats mature and criminal networks adapt. The awards signal a formal recognition of leadership across the spectrum of enforcement and policy effort.
key honours at a glance
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| Unidentified NCA officers | N/A |
For context, the New Year Honours list is published by the government to acknowledge exemplary public service and achievements across the United Kingdom.More information is available from official government sources on honours and National Crime Agency activity.
Learn more about UK honours and the National Crime Agency.
As cyber threats continue to evolve,the NCA’s leadership in criminal investigations and asset recovery remains central to safeguarding the public. These recognitions highlight a commitment to both frontline enforcement and strategic policy work that strengthens resilience against increasingly complex criminal networks.
what do you think about the way honours spotlight leadership in cybercrime and financial crime fighting? Do you see room for expanding public recognition of defensive cybersecurity work in law enforcement?
Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation about safeguarding communities in the digital age.
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