BCS announces senior appointments in membership and digital roles

BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT has appointed Harpreet Panesar as Director of Membership and Volunteer Engagement and Adam Thompson as Director of Digital, further strengthening its senior leadership team as it builds its position as the professional home of AI and digital innovation.

Harpreet joins BCS following nearly 25 years at ICAEW (the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales), where she most recently served as Head of the Student to Member Journey. Over the course of her career, she has led regional operations, marketing and communications, enterprise growth and member engagement across the UK, including as Regional Director for London and the East.

At BCS, Harpreet will lead the growth, diversification, and retention of membership, while maximising the impact of BCS’ events, volunteer networks, and expert communities. She will be central to delivering the outcomes of the recent membership community review, renewing the relevance, reach and power of BCS’ expert groups and ensuring the organisation serves the entirety of its diverse and growing membership.

Adam Thompson joins as Director of Digital, also from ICAEW, where he spent more than 13 years leading digital product, user experience, and platform transformation. As Head of Digital Product & Experience, he led a team of 15 through a major digital transformation programme, including the launch of a new mobile app, pioneering one of the UK’s earliest Microsoft-based GenAI releases for customer experience and overhauling the digital journey for students and members. Earlier in his career, Adam held marketing roles at the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

At BCS, Adam will work across the organisation to transform its digital ecosystem, from the BCS website and membership portal to its learning, certification and registration journeys, ensuring seamless, user-centred experiences that reflect the standards of a modern professional body.

Sharron Gunn, CEO of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, said: “As technology reshapes every sector of society, the role of a strong, trusted professional body has never been more important. BCS is the home of professionalism in AI, and that demands excellence in both how we serve our members and how we operate digitally.

“Harpreet brings significant experience in member engagement, growth and community leadership, and Adam brings a strong background in digital transformation and innovation. Together, they will support BCS in continuing to improve how we serve and connect with current and future members.”

Harpreet Panesar added: “I’m delighted to be joining BCS at such an important moment for the profession. Across my career, I’ve seen how powerful professional communities can be in shaping standards, supporting career progression and creating a genuine sense of belonging. BCS has an extraordinary network of volunteers, expert groups and members. I’m excited to build on that foundation, strengthening engagement, widening participation and ensuring every member, from student to Fellow, feels the value of being part of the professional home of AI.”

Adam Thompson also said: “I’m excited to join BCS to help shape a digital ecosystem that reflects the ambition of the organisation: supporting lifelong learning, certification and professional recognition in ways that are simple, data-informed and future-ready. There is a huge opportunity to harness emerging technologies, including AI, to better serve the profession and society.”

These appointments mark a significant step in BCS’ ongoing transformation, strengthening its ability to grow membership, deepen engagement, modernise its digital infrastructure and reinforce its position as the trusted voice of the profession in an AI-driven world.