Member Group Elections to Council for 2026-2029

Hi, I am Aravind, an MBCS, cybersecurity graduate from the University of Hertfordshire, Technical Director at S.A.J., and current Chair of the Hertfordshire Branch. I have also previously served as Chair of a Student Chapter, giving me experience on both sides of our community: established professionals and those beginning their journey in tech.

I am standing for Council because every member, from students to early professionals, career changers, and senior leaders alike, deserves a community that listens, empowers, and opens doors. Working across these two pillars has shown me the outcomes that emerge when BCS supports people at every stage of their development, and this belief motivates me to run.

In my work with BCS, I organise and speak at events that bring professionals and students together, including technology forums where diverse voices co-create sessions on ethics, skills, and careers. I lead mentoring circles, support women’s empowerment initiatives, and champion hands-on meetups to ensure newcomers, including those entering via non-traditional routes, feel welcome, confident, and prepared.

Through experiences, I have seen what members value most: the ability to be heard, to grow, and to belong to a community that reflects the diversity of modern computing. I have also observed a growing Digital Confidence Gap, where many individuals feel uncertain about keeping pace with the rapid technological changes. I believe the British Computer Society is positioned to bridge this gap.

If elected, I will bring attention to:

• Voice & transparency — “BCS Community Labs” where members shape ideas and see decisions evolve.
• Opportunity at scale — mentoring, early-career pathways, and CPD aligned to in-demand skills.
• Inclusion by design — supporting branches to reach under-represented groups and strengthen the student-to-professional pipeline.

BCS stands at a pivotal moment. With your support, I would be honoured to help ensure it remains ethical, innovative, and open for everyone.

Supporters: Meena Chand MBCS and Dalim Basu CITP FBCS

I am standing for election to BCS Council to support our profession in shaping a secure, ethical, and inclusive digital future. As a Fellow of BCS and an experienced senior technology leader, I bring more than two decades of governance, cyber security, and operational leadership across defence, government, scientific research, and global commercial environments.

In my current role as Chief Information Security Officer at Ricardo, I lead global cyber strategy, governance, risk, and security operations across 15 countries. I have delivered international regulatory compliance, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, GDPR, TISAX AL3 and Cyber Essentials+, built resilient multi-supplier governance models, and transformed complex cyber and technology risks into clear strategic insight for boards and executive teams. I also chair the IT Change Board and serve on the AI Steering Committee, ensuring that cyber, ethics, and emerging technologies are embedded into transformation from the outset.

Alongside my civilian leadership roles, I serve as a Major in the British Army Reserve, providing cyber architecture assurance and capability governance for secure and classified environments. This strengthens my perspective on resilience, national security, and effective cross-sector collaboration. If elected, my priorities for Council will be:

1. Championing professionalism and trust: promoting high standards in cyber governance, digital ethics, and responsible technology development.
2. Supporting BCS regional communities: ensuring strong representation and visibility for members across the UK, not only in major hubs.
3. Advancing diversity and inclusion: encouraging talent from underrepresented groups, reducing barriers to professional development, and amplifying a culture where everyone can progress.
4. Strengthening BCS leadership in AI and emerging technologies: helping members navigate opportunities and risks with clarity, confidence, and integrity.

I now have the time, commitment, and dedication to serve with energy, transparency, and purpose, ensuring BCS continues to be an influential, forward looking voice for our profession.

Supporters: Heath Groves CITP FBCS and Kelly-Ann Groves MBCS

I want to connect the energy of our city hubs with the diverse strengths across our regions. BCS should spotlight regional capability, celebrate varied pathways into tech, and ensure local voices shape national agendas.

As Technology Director at a global insurance broker, I oversee hundreds of systems used by thousands of colleagues across 140+ UK locations. Visiting these sites has shown me the rich cultural tapestry across our workplaces and the importance of a digitally connected country. Serving on the Shropshire Branch committee, I’ve seen the depth of talent beyond metropolitan centres: engineers, data practitioners, product thinkers, educators and students whose contributions often go unnoticed. In my leadership role, I participate in various industry forums and public events—mainly focused in cities—but I'd like us to create more opportunities for members from every region to take part.

I envision BCS weaving itself more closely into the fabric of communities across the country, leading on issues that matter locally as well as nationally. We need accessible programmes and support from BCS that strengthen ties between industry, academia, SMEs, and public services, along with practical assistance for skills development, mentoring, and promoting ethical standards at scale.

Beyond just my professional experience, I feel I am suited to this role as I have demonstrated my ability to rally support across a diverse range of causes, as Co-chair of Everywhen’s Sustainability Community, Advisory Board member for TechGirls, and advise charities on ethical AI use through AI4C.

Drawing upon my South African heritage, where the principle of Ubuntu—"humanity to others"—informs our actions, I am convinced that collaboration drives socio-economic advancement. By focusing on meaningful outcome measurement, we can ensure that all communities actively engage in and benefit from a digital future, enabled by a more interconnected BCS.

Supporters: Kirsten Hollister MBCS and Jared Cowan RITTech MBCS

I am a keen, active member of the Edinburgh branch’s committee, where I serve as both the Early Careers Advocate and the Education Liaison Officer.

I want to ensure that our regional branches retain their central role in representing our membership. I also want to empower our branches to champion professionalism initiatives like CITP. Earlier this year, I united the Edinburgh and London regional branches with the BCS Women specialist group to raise the profile of CITP during Chartered Week. That high-impact panel discussion showcased the diverse pathways to CITP accreditation and highlighted its significance in addressing organisational challenges.

As a Senior Consultant specialising in transformation, risk management, and IT security within highly regulated sectors, I deliver secure, scalable, ethical solutions which strengthen organisations resilience and trust.

If elected to Council, I will advocate for a strong connection between the regional branches and our membership. I will also encourage BCS' continued growth as an inclusive, diverse, ethical, and professional community.

Supporters: EUR ING Alastair Revell CITP CEng FBCS and Kevin Fisher MSc CITP MBCS

Sarah Rench, MSc, MBA, is the Global AI Security and European Security Lead at Avanade. She designs, builds and leads teams that deliver Data and AI solutions and implement security across AI, IoT and cloud-based systems.

With over 13 years in data, AI and cybersecurity, Sarah has held multiple architect roles and is a Databricks Champion. She has built systems ranging from AI-driven data quality tools and cloud migration architectures to data and AI security frameworks, ML-based threat detection, insider risk solutions & mobile-to-SIEM integrations across complex enterprise environments.

Sarah has delivered major projects in Finance and Healthcare, and has advised C-suite leaders across sectors on data, AI and cybersecurity strategy. Her work supports organisations in designing secure AI systems and defending against emerging threats, from advanced AI-enabled attacks to quantum-era risks.

She is a frequent speaker at the House of Commons and UK Parliament on Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security and the importance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and previously served on the board of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on AI (AI APPG).

A strong advocate for inclusion in STEM, Sarah supports women, LGBTQ+ people and other underrepresented groups to build careers in AI, Tech and Security. She serves as BCS Pride Chair at the British Computer Society and ran more than 10 events in 2025, helping 1,500 individuals get into tech and AI. She is the founder of DiverseCxO and co-founder of RepresentAI, both focused on increasing equity, access and career opportunities in AI.

Given her experience in AI, security, governance and community leadership, Sarah would bring valuable insight to the BCS Council—supporting membership growth, strengthening ethical standards and promoting professional excellence across the UK tech community.

Sarah has received numerous awards, including the Bupa Everywoman Cyber Security Award 2025 and the European Diversity Awards Inspirational Role Model 2024.

Supporters: Kevin Langthorne CITP CEng FBCS and Dave Donaghy CITP CEng MBCS

I am standing for election to the BCS Council through the Specialist Group Constituency, drawing on my experience as Chair of the Data Management Specialist Group (DMSG). Supported by some great colleagues, the DMSG has become an active, outward-facing community with a clear focus on collaboration, diversity, and the advancement of data as a critical professional discipline.

Within BCS, we have built strong partnerships with groups such as the Women’s Group and the Project Management Group (PROMS-G). Externally, we work closely with recognised organisations in the data domain, for example, DAMA UK, to bring authoritative, practical insights to the wider membership. Our flagship “Diversity in Data” conference exemplified our belief that diversity must be viewed from multiple perspectives, including gender, ethnicity, background, experience, and neurodiversity. We have also made early-career engagement central to our mission. We recently seconded two graduates from Birmingham City University onto our committee to help us understand early-career needs and ensure our activities remain relevant, accessible, and beneficial to the next generation of data professionals.

If elected to Council, I would champion three priorities: Increased collaboration across Specialist Groups, regional branches, and professional members to make BCS more connected and mutually supportive. Strengthened commitment to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that underrepresented groups feel welcomed, supported, and able to influence our direction. Recognition of the growing importance of data and data management, helping BCS respond strategically to the central role data now plays in business, public services, society, and individual careers. I believe that Specialist Groups are one of BCS’s greatest assets. I would work with Council to amplify their impact, encourage cross-community engagement, and help the Institute continue to grow as a diverse, inclusive, and influential professional body.

Supporters: Tristi Tanaka MBCS and Soyini Taylor MBCS

My work sits at the intersection of early childhood, technology, and the future skills pipeline. As the founder and author of Unplugged Tots (published by Raspberry Pi Press) I am committed to reducing the digital divide. Technology is a powerful enabler of change but that power is reliant on strong human skills first.

Through Unplugged Tots, I focus on screen-free, play-based learning that strengthens computational thinking skills. The next generation will inherit a world where digital systems are pervasive, automated, and interconnected. To participate fully, they need both technical confidence and deep humanness. This requires us, their role models to take a thoughtful, research-informed approach to digital exposure.

My work supports schools, businesses, and parents to nurture computational thinking skills from the very start. Working with schools I integrate unplugged computational thinking into cross curricular activities. Working with businesses, I demonstrate that investing in these foundational skills ignites early curiosity, strengthens long-term talent pipelines, and cultivates a more diverse and adaptable generation of thinkers.

As a BCS council member, I would champion this holistic vision of digital literacy. One that celebrates technology as a powerful tool while recognising that human creativity, curiosity, empathy, and resilience remain the driving force behind innovation. I want to shape a future where every child, regardless of background, enters the world with confidence and the cognitive foundations required to thrive.

I would be honoured to contribute my experience to the BCS council and to help strengthen the bridge between early childhood education, schools, families, and the wider technology sector. The future of computing depends not only on those who code, but on those who understand how to raise a generation ready to imagine, design, question, and lead because the foundations of our digital future are built long before a child logs on.

Supporters: Joseph Arday MBCS and Becci Peters MBCS

I am genuinely honored to put myself forward for nomination to represent the Interaction Specialist Group of BCS. My career has been evolved into bridging the gap between people and technology, ensuring that digital systems are not only functional but also intuitive, inclusive, and empowering. It isn’t rocket surgery (to borrow the term from Steve Krugg). We just need to invest sufficient time and resources to ensure people and their challenges are the focus of our efforts in research and development. IT is the tool we use to solve these problems.

With a track record user experience design, human–computer interaction, and stakeholder engagement, I believe I can contribute meaningfully to the group’s mission of advancing best practice in interaction design across both academia and business. Over my career, I have worked on numerous projects where my focus has consistently been on improving accessibility, usability, and trust in digital interactions.

Experience has taught me that effective interaction design is not just about technology—it is about people, empathy, and the creation of systems that respect diverse needs. We all have a part to play. As a representative, I would champion initiatives that promote inclusivity, ethical design, and continuous professional development.

I am committed to ensuring that the Interaction Specialist Group redevelops as a vibrant community where members can exchange insights, explore emerging trends, and influence policy and standards within BCS and beyond. I would also seek to strengthen our outreach, connecting with academia, industry, and public bodies to highlight the importance of human‑centred design in shaping the future of technology. I believe my skills, experience, and passion for interaction design make me a strong candidate to represent the group. I welcome the opportunity to serve, listen, and advocate for our shared vision of technology that truly works for people.

Supporters: Sharon Moore MBE CITP FBCS and Réka Wilson MBCS

I graduated with a BSc (Honours), CS with AI (First Class) from the University of Nottingham and an MSc in Data Science for Cultural Heritage from UCL.

I am a Liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers, a Freeman of City of London, a AfDSP Data Science Professional, a Member of UKRI Talent Peer Review College, a Fellow of the Institution of Analysts and Programmers, an Associate Fellow of Advance HE, a Certified Data Management Professional, and an AWS Community Builder. I am a non-solicitor member of the Marine Law Sub-committee of The Law Society of Scotland, a Committee Member of the IET Scotland North Network, a member of PhD & ECR Committee, Scottish Universities Life Science Alliance, and a QEPrize Ambassador. I have previously held trusteeships of two local charities, am a Life member of the Royal Celtic Society, a Governor of the Clergy Support Trust, a Fellow of Royal Numismatic Society, and a graduate of Carruthers & Jackson Summer School for data leaders.

I have always been dedicating to volunteering for Specialist Groups of BCS. I am the Specialist Groups Officer of BCS Early Careers Executive, the Early Career Advocate and a Committee Member of the BCS Open Source SG, and the Early Career Advocate and a Committee Member of the BCS ICT Ethics SG. My passion for BCS Specialist Groups, my dedication on IT for social good, my professional expertise and my experience in charity governance and charitable activities make me a perfect candidate. If elected, I will be ethe strongest advocate for all matters important to Specialist Groups, advocate for more funding allocations and better funding allocation methods for Specialist Group, and work on events and methods to attract more members, especially early career members, to be involved with Specialist Groups.

Supporters: Dr Neil Gordon MBCS and Timothy Clark MBCS

Mr Stavroulakis is a BCS Fellow, and an active Professional Member of BCS for over 20 years. He was a founding Member of BCS Hellenic Section in 2006, serving in its Committee since 2010, and as its Chairperson since 2019. As Chairperson, he has achieved to significantly elevate BCS in Greece, create important Academic and Organisational Memberships, and add around 1000 new BCS Members in Greece so far, thus making BCS Hellenic Section the largest International Section of BCS.

He holds a BSc degree in Information Systems and Management from University of London – London School of Economics, and a MSc Degree in Information Systems from the Athens University of Economics and Business.

He has a 37 year long active professional career in IT, serving as co-founder of the innovative IT Company “Data Research Ltd”, as Head of Information Systems at “Motor Oil Hellas S.A.”, the biggest private Industrial Company of Greece, where he worked for 32 years, and cooperating with Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 international IT Companies.

He is asked to provide his expert IT opinion to major Institutions, such as the Hellenic Parliament, and the National Techno ethics Committee.

He has attended numerous IT Conferences in Greece, UK, Germany, Monaco, Turkey, France, etc.

He has organized many IT Conferences, such as “e-Systems Forum 2009”, “e-Systems Forum 2010”, “e-Systems Forum 2011”, “Innovation Clusters Conference”, “Digital Transformation Conference”, “AI and 3D-printing” Conference, “e-Systems Forum 2022”, “e-Systems Forum 2023”, “e-Systems Forum 2024”, and others, with thousands participations.

Mr Stavroulakis wishes to offer his above broad experience and proven abilities to the BCS Council (International Constituency), serving and supporting the strategic goals of BCS, including reaching 100K Members and offering increased value to BCS Members. His growth and development achievements at the BCS Hellenic Section, warrant his valuable contribution to the Council.

Supporters: Elpis Avgerinou MBCS, Athanasios Stavroulakis MBCS and BCS Hellenic Section Committee

With a distinguished career spanning law enforcement, academia, independent technology consultant and listed-company advisory, I offer the BCS Council a unique international perspective and a proven bridge between the UK and global IT communities.

My credentials—FBCS, CITP, CEng, FIET, FIEAust and the recent ChCSP—reflect a deep, cross-disciplinary commitment to professionalism. As CTO of the Hong Kong Police Force, I managed complex, mission-critical IT at scale. Today, I advise university presidents on international accreditation (including Seoul Accord) and guide listed companies on cyber-risk governance and innovation framework. This dual industry-academia network across Asia is a tangible asset.

My mission is to amplify BCS’s global influence and leverage its world-class standards, frameworks, and resources to nurture the next generation of IT leaders worldwide. I have already initiated collaborations, facilitating visits between Asian higher education institutes and BCS HQ. Elected to Council, I will actively connect international ecosystems to BCS, fostering partnerships that elevate our collective expertise.

In this AI-era, serving society with better IT demands a truly global dialogue. I pledge to become your proactive, energetic link—ensuring BCS not only contributes to but leads that conversation, extending our impact from the UK to the world. My record is one of building bridges. I am ready to build them for BCS.

Supporters: Raymond Wai Ming Woo FBCS and Sui Ping Kwok CITP CEng MBCS

Dear Members,

I am honoured to stand for election as the International Sections Consistency Representative to Council. My journey with BCS began in 2008 as a mentee in the Hong Kong Section mentorship programme, and I became a member in 2010. Since then, I have remained committed to supporting BCS and contributing to its mission, helping strengthen the Society’s role and presence internationally.

I currently serve as a member of the BCS CB Finance Committee (since 2024) and as Chairman of the BCS Hong Kong Section (since 2025). Hong Kong, as one of the major international sections of BCS, offers a unique perspective from Asia. I hope to bring a responsible voice from overseas to Council, ensuring that the needs and opportunities of international members are represented. With my professional background in IT governance, infrastructure & cloud technologies, and business intelligence (BI), I aim to share insights and contribute meaningfully to Council.

Academically, I hold a BSc (Hons) in Computer Science from Queen Mary University of London, an MSc in Electronic Commerce and Internet Computing, and an Executive Diploma in Investment Banking from The University of Hong Kong.

Professionally, I am a Chartered IT Professional (CITP) and MBCS, and also hold the CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) and CISM (Certified Information Security Manager) certifications. I have extensive experience in managing IT Infrastructure & Operations. In my current role as a team manager within a financial organization, I oversee technology operations, ensure IT strategies align with business objectives, and maintain compliance requirements.

My vision is to help BCS navigate the new era of data intelligence, where BI, AI, and advanced analytics reshape how organizations govern, innovate, and drive business effectiveness. With a career grounded in governance, cloud, and BI, I am confident I can contribute effectively to Council.

Thank you.

Supporters: Reggie Chi Keung Wong CITP FBCS and Ka Ho Mo CITP MBCS

I am a Professor of Information Technology at a leading public university in Sri Lanka, with 25+ years of experience in university-level teaching, research, and academic leadership. I co-lead the University’s Innovation, Invention, and Venture Creation Council, driving initiatives in technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and the commercialization of research outcomes. I am a Senior Member of both the ACM and IEEE, and previously served as Chair of the IEEE Computer Society Sri Lanka Chapter. I also serve as a non-executive Independent Director at Sanasa General Insurance (in Sri Lanka). My journey with BCS began in 1997 as a Student Member. After completing the BCS HEQs, I progressed through Member, and was elected as a Fellow (2018). I have volunteered with the Sri Lanka Section since 2005 and have served on its Executive Committee. I currently serve as Secretary of the Section. Beyond Sri Lanka, I contributed to BCS as an FBCS assessor and, since 2023, as International Sections Officer for the BCS Early Careers Executive. I am one of two Researcher Directors on the Board of ORCID Inc., a global non-profit supporting persistent identifiers for researchers, and serve as Crossref Ambassador for Sri Lanka. I also hold a Japanese patent for a gesture-recognition device developed during my doctoral studies in Japan.

As a Council member, I will promote BCS’s role internationally while ensuring that international Sections receive value from their engagement. Overseas Sections bring insight into local talent pathways, innovation ecosystems, and diverse educational needs, which can shape BCS’s global relevance. I aim to build a global bridge between BCS and universities by expanding student engagement, mentoring networks, and early-career development programmes across regions. I will also champion collaborative innovation initiatives that showcase local talent internationally, creating shared opportunities for learning, visibility, and impact across the global BCS community.

Supporters: Vajeendra Kandegamage CITP MBCS and Anuradha Chaminda Jayakody CITP CEng MBCS

I am the Early Careers Advocate of the BCS Shropshire Branch and have been an active committee member since 2022. I am keen to further build on this responsibility by representing young professionals at Council level. I believe that by amplifying the voices of young professionals, we can build a stronger, more resilient community that embraces innovation while upholding the highest standards of professionalism.

Through my work with the Shropshire committee, I have helped organise and spoken at local BCS events, creating opportunities for members and non-members to engage with key topics and strengthen our community. These events have provided valuable networking opportunities and exposure to the profession for those early in their careers and for established professionals seeking to share their experience.

Most recently, I delivered a talk on RITTech and AI ethics, emphasising how fundamental technical skills remain as vital today as ever, even as emerging technologies reshape our profession. As an Azure‑certified .NET developer and RITTech accredited professional, I bring both technical expertise and a commitment to ethical practice. My experience in full‑stack development, automation, and AI integration has shown me how rapidly our industry evolves and how essential it is for young professionals to be equipped not only with technical competence but also with the confidence to influence the future direction of our profession.

If elected, I would aim to ensure Council reflects the perspectives of early‑career members. I am passionate about fostering inclusive opportunities for growth, encouraging dialogue across generations, and strengthening the role of BCS in shaping a responsible, forward‑looking IT sector in the UK. It would be a privilege to serve as a representative and contribute to the continued success of BCS.

Supporters: Edward Staveley Bedell MBCS and Lauren Dally MBCS

Hello all, I am Luke Marshall-Watkin. I am currently in my final year of Computing at the University of Worcester.

As a British Computing Society (BCS) committee member, I attend committee meetings with the BCS Hereford and Worcester Branch along with their regular BCS meetups each month.

I have actively been involved and helped with several careers events to encourage the younger generation to engage with the BCS and help with finding and promoting young people to both participate and present at our events.

I think that I should be elected because as an active participant, I am keen to make a difference, proven by the fact that I was named Course Rep of the Year during my second year at university. As a neurodiverse individual from an ethnic minority background, my voice will help to the broaden the reach of the British Computing Society Council to these groups who are currently underrepresented. My manifesto is as follows:

• Enable yearly collaborations between local British Computing Society branches, e.g. a West Midlands Collaboration – Hereford & Worcester Branch, Cheltenham & Gloucester Branch, and Birmingham and Wolverhampton branches, etc. This would provide an all-around joint effort to compare the various types of events that people would like to see, not to mention the opportunities of meeting extraordinary individuals.
• Enabling local branches to host careers fairs with companies that are accredited with the BCS, for secondary schools, colleges, and universities separately. This would be to help identify the companies in the local area that already support our efforts and to point young people in the direction of getting certified, having this membership and being able to make a difference as early as possible in their own time.
• Creating links between the local groups and specialist groups.

I would be honoured to receive your vote.

Supporters: Lisa Ventura MBE MBCS and Chris Farnath FBCS

This nomination comes from a genuine belief that students and early-career professionals should have a real voice in shaping the future of the digital sector. Their creativity, energy, curiosity and strong desire to build a better world are exactly the qualities that ought to be reflected in BCS governance as the digital landscape continues to shift and mature.

My experience within the BCS BBN Branch as YPG, together with my work leading TAFU, has shown me how powerful it can be when young people are trusted to lead. TAFU is rooted in the idea of personal responsibility and has a strong technological focus, and through this work I have seen how quickly young people grow when they are given space to innovate. The success of the TAFU-BCS Award highlighted this even more clearly. When young technologists are encouraged to investigate ethical technology, sustainability, and meaningful impact, they step up with thoughtfulness and depth far beyond what many expect.

Stronger, more visible pathways that allow students and young professionals to develop, contribute, and shape decisions, including helping to build a digital ecosystem that is ethical, sustainable, and grounded in responsibility would be a priority. Further focuses would include supporting open and principled leadership and collaboration across BCS branches, student chapters and specialist groups so that everyone’s efforts have greater impact.

At the heart of this is a simple ambition to make a change for the better, to build a bridge wherever the digital divide is embedded. Young professionals should not only be invited into the conversation, but actively involved in shaping the future of the digital profession. By understanding their experiences, needs, problems and the challenges they face, we can build a digital environment that is inclusive, forward-thinking and deserving of the confidence placed in it by the next generation.

Supporters: Dr Ip-Shing Fan MBCS and David Briggs CITP CEng MBCS