Pride specialist group: Committee

Chair
Sarah Rench

Sarah Rench, MSc, MBA, is the BCS Pride Chair, which is part of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, the UK professional body supporting 70,0000 computing professionals through certifications, standards, training, networking, and chartered status. Sarah focuses on supporting the LGBTQIA+ individuals getting upskilled through BCS and specific LGBTQIA+ & Technology focused events. 
By day, Sarah is the Global AI Security & EMEA Security Leader at Avanade, where she leads teams in designing, building, and securing Data and AI solutions, with expertise spanning building AI systems as well as securing various IoT and cloud-native architectures.
Sarah is also the Founder & CAIO of RepresentAI, which focuses on AI upskilling and innovation, helping to remove the barriers to AI adoption.

She founded RepresentAI to help women, LGBTQ+ individuals and underrepresented individuals get into AI careers and thrive, through sharing free in person AI and virtual training, AI news, job opportunities, networking events and pushing for a more inclusive workplace and society. Since 2025, they have helped upskill over 1700 individuals in AI, plan to double it by 2026 and each year. 

She has more than 14 years of experience across the Data, AI, and cybersecurity sectors, serving in a range of architecture and technical leadership roles. She is also a Databricks Champion/ Certifed Architect, Microsoft Subject Matter Expert (SME) and Anthropic Claude SME. 

Her experience spans the design and delivery of data quality platforms, AI and machine learning models, cloud data migration architectures, AI and data security frameworks, ML-driven threat detection systems, insider risk management solutions, and mobile-to-SIEM security integrations. She has also led the implementation and integration of enterprise AI and security technologies across complex environments.

Sarah has worked extensively across the Finance, Legal, and Healthcare sectors, advising C-suite executives and enterprise leaders on Data, AI, and cybersecurity strategy. She partners with business and technology leaders to design and implement secure, scalable AI systems while addressing emerging cyber risks associated with AI adoption and quantum computing advancements.

She frequently presents in the House of Commons & Parliament on Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security and importance of Diversity Equity and inclusion. She was also previously a board member of All-Party Parliamentary Group on AI (AI APPG).

She’s won numerous awards, including recently she won the Bupa Everywomen Cyber Security Award 2025 and the European Diversity Awards Inspirational Role Model of the Year 2024 to list just two.

Vice Chair
Dave Donaghy (He/Him)

Dave is a BCS Councillor and a member of Trustee Board.

He is the Inclusion Officer for the BCS Open Source SG, and hopes to work closely with BCS’s DEI SGs (BCSWomen, EMBRACE, NeurodiverseIT and Pride) to get its tech SGs into a better DEI position.

He is the Chair of the Bristol & Bath Branch, and is currently running a pilot programme providing industrial mentors to undergraduate students, with a strong DEI focus.

He has worked voluntarily as a charity trustee and school governor over the past 5 years.

Treasurer
Alex Mac (He/Him)

Alex is our treasurer and has a diverse background spanning law, business and technology. He recently completed an MSc in Technology Management with The Open University and is continuing his transition into the world of project and product management. Before this, he worked in a variety of roles across different sectors, including as a company director for a pet services business, where he led website development and managed online sales, as well as working as a web developer for a world-renowned cocktail website.

He is passionate about making technology and education accessible to everyone, enabling people to reach their full potential and lead fulfilling lives. Alex believes diversity, equity and inclusion are essential for creating a positive society that drives innovation and advances technology for the benefit of all.

Alex is also a keen car enthusiast who enjoys learning about different cultures and appreciating the natural world. In his spare time, he travels the world with his partner, exploring scenic trails and making the most of his National Trust membership.

He also enjoys attending automotive events across the UK with his cars.

Early Careers Advocate

Vacant

Inclusion Officer

Vacant

Committee member

Jake Fraser