Graeme Biggar

Graeme Biggar

Graeme Biggar is a senior British civil servant and law enforcement official who has held several key positions within the UK government, particularly in the realm of national security and crime prevention. As of October 2022, he serves as the Director General of the National Crime Agency (NCA), a role he assumed after serving as the interim Director General from September 2021.

Early Career and Education

Graeme Biggar has a background in economics and public policy. He studied at the University of Cambridge, where he earned a degree in Economics. He later attended the Harvard Kennedy School, where he obtained a Master’s degree in Public Administration.

Career in Public Service

Biggar’s career in public service has been marked by a focus on national security, defense, and organized crime. He has worked in various capacities within the UK government, gaining extensive experience in policy development and operational leadership.

Ministry of Defence

Early in his career, Biggar worked at the Ministry of Defence, where he was involved in defense policy and strategy. His work here laid the foundation for his later roles in national security.

Home Office

Biggar held significant positions within the Home Office, the government department responsible for immigration, security, and law and order. He served as Director of National Security, where he was responsible for overseeing policies related to counterterrorism, cyber security, and resilience.

Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism

Biggar was also the Director General of the Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism (OSCT) within the Home Office. In this role, he played a crucial part in shaping the UK’s counter-terrorism strategy, working closely with intelligence agencies and law enforcement.

National Economic Crime Centre

Before joining the NCA, Biggar was the Director General of the National Economic Crime Centre (NECC), a multi-agency organization tasked with tackling economic crime. His leadership there focused on fighting money laundering, fraud, and corruption.

Leadership at the NCA

Graeme Biggar became the interim Director General of the National Crime Agency in September 2021, succeeding Dame Lynne Owens. His leadership was confirmed on a permanent basis in October 2022. As the head of the NCA, Biggar oversees the UK’s response to serious and organized crime, working to disrupt and dismantle criminal networks both domestically and internationally.

Under his direction, the NCA has emphasized the importance of collaboration with international partners, the use of advanced technology, and the integration of intelligence-led approaches to combat a wide range of criminal activities, including human trafficking, drug trafficking, cybercrime, and child exploitation.

Personal Attributes

Graeme Biggar is known for his strategic vision, operational acumen, and commitment to public service. His extensive experience in national security and crime prevention has equipped him to lead the NCA in addressing some of the most complex and pressing criminal threats facing the UK today.

The National Crime Agency (NCA)

The National Crime Agency (NCA) is the United Kingdom’s premier law enforcement agency dedicated to combating serious and organized crime. Established in October 2013, the NCA was created to address the increasingly complex and global nature of criminal activities, replacing several predecessor organizations, including the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA). Often referred to as “Britain’s FBI,” the NCA’s mission is to protect the public by leading the UK’s fight against the most severe threats, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime, child exploitation, and economic crimes like money laundering and fraud.

The NCA operates through a variety of specialized units, each focused on different areas of serious crime. For example, the Organized Crime Command targets criminal groups involved in drug and human trafficking, while the Cyber Crime Unit focuses on tackling cyber threats, including hacking and online fraud. The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Command is dedicated to protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation, especially in online environments. Additionally, the Economic Crime Command addresses financial crimes, and the National Cyber Crime Unit (NCCU) focuses on identifying and preventing cybercrime.

Given the global nature of modern criminal activities, the NCA collaborates closely with international partners. It works with agencies like INTERPOL, Europol, and other national law enforcement bodies to disrupt transnational criminal networks. The NCA’s global reach is further supported by liaison officers stationed in various countries, facilitating international operations and intelligence sharing.

The NCA is empowered with significant investigative and enforcement authority, including the ability to arrest individuals, conduct searches, and seize assets. It also has the unique power to direct other UK law enforcement agencies, such as regional police forces and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), to take action against specific threats. This capacity allows the NCA to coordinate and lead joint operations across the UK, ensuring a comprehensive approach to tackling serious crime.

Leadership within the NCA is provided by the Director General, who oversees the agency’s strategic direction and operations. As of October 2022, Graeme Biggar holds this position, bringing extensive experience in national security and organized crime prevention. Under his leadership, the NCA continues to focus on intelligence-led operations and the use of advanced technology to stay ahead of emerging threats.

The NCA’s achievements since its inception are notable, with the agency successfully dismantling major criminal operations, rescuing victims of trafficking, preventing cyberattacks, and confiscating substantial amounts of criminal assets. These successes underscore the NCA’s proactive approach, often identifying and mitigating threats before they can cause significant harm.

In addition to its enforcement activities, the NCA engages with the public to raise awareness about serious and organized crime. Through educational campaigns and resources, the agency helps individuals and businesses protect themselves from crimes such as fraud and cybercrime, contributing to broader crime prevention efforts.

Overall, the National Crime Agency is a vital component of the UK’s law enforcement landscape, providing a coordinated and powerful response to the most dangerous and sophisticated criminal threats. With its mandate to operate both domestically and internationally, the NCA plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and security of the UK in an increasingly interconnected and complex world.