West Yorkshire branch: Committee
Here are the members of the West Yorkshire branch committee.
| Name | Post-Nominals | Role on the Committee | Job Title & Company | Biography |
| Daniel Toms | MBCS, MSc, BSc | Chair | Head of Computer Science, Red Kite Learning Trust | Daniel Toms is a Computing teacher and educational leader with over 20 years’ experience. He has led Computing departments at Harrogate Grammar School and Rossett School, and has supported schools nationally through leadership roles with the National Centre for Computing Education, Red Kite Teacher Training and the Red Kite Alliance. Daniel is recognised as an Apple Distinguished Educator, Showbie Champion, CAS Master Teacher, Raspberry Pi Certified Educator and STEM Lead Facilitator.
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| Chris Delee | MBCS, ACSP, BSc | Treasurer | SOC Lead, CYSIAM | Chris Delee ACSP, MBCS, is a First-Class Computer Science for Cyber Security graduate from the University of Bradford and the SOC Night Shift Lead. Specialising in real-time threat monitoring, threat hunting, and cyber threat intelligence, he holds multiple industry certifications across CompTIA, Microsoft, and Splunk. Chris is deeply involved with the BCS, currently serving as Treasurer for the West Yorkshire Committee. Outside of cyber security, he is a STEM Ambassador and archery enthusiast.
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| Hamza Sohaib | MBCS | Committee Member & Acting Secretary | Independent Advisor and Consultant | Hamza Sohaib MBCS is an independent IT and Public Affairs Consultant advising a range of organisations nationally, regionally, and locally. Hamza serves on the Government Digital Service Responsible AI Advisory Panel, and as a youth advisor to the UK Home Office and to the Electoral Commission. Hamza has an interest in technology, public affairs, politics and law. His work focuses on leveraging tech for social good and empowerment.
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| Sanjay Paul | MBA, FBCS, CITP, BEng | Committee Member | Enterprise Architect, HM Revenue & Customs | Sanjay Paul is a seasoned digital practitioner, Chartered IT Professional and BCS Fellow with over three decades of experience enabling technology-driven business innovation. A senior civil servant and Enterprise Architect, he specialises in data analytics for national-scale transformation programmes. With an engineering background and deep expertise in cloud computing, distributed systems and risk-based design, he blends technical precision with strategic insight, connecting policy, architecture and ethical innovation.
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| Sharon Jandu | OBE | Committee Member and Early Careers Advocate | Managing Director, NPH Business & Policy Forum | Sharon Jandu OBE is Director of NPH Business & Policy Forum, Founder of the Yorkshire Asian Business Association, ISS Freeports Director of Strategic Partnerships for India, and Chair of Unity Enterprise. She serves on the boards of Unity Housing Association, Federation of Small Business, Association of International Accountants, Leeds University Business School's International Business Advisory Group, and University of Bradford's Enterprise Ecosystem, and is Trustee for Leeds Playhouse. She received an OBE in the 2023 New Year Honours for contributions to international trade and an Honorary Fellowship from Leeds Trinity University in 2024.
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| Tim Ripper | Committee Member | Director, ITogether | Tim Ripper is a Cybersecurity-focused IT professional with a strong background in bespoke network services, threat mitigation, and secure infrastructure design. He helps organisations strengthen their security posture through proactive risk management, modern security solutions, and resilient IT strategies. With a client-first mindset, he builds trusted partnerships while aligning cybersecurity initiatives to business goals, enabling organisations to navigate an increasingly complex threat landscape with confidence.
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| Joseph Odeh | MBCS, BSc, MBA, PhD | Committee Member | Support Coordinator, Home Group | Joseph Odeh is an accomplished professional with over two decades of experience across sales, marketing, customer service, business analysis, research, and social support services. He has led growth initiatives, strengthened stakeholder relationships, and delivered data‑driven improvements across diverse sectors. An author and researcher with the Eudoxia Research Institute, he contributes to work on consumer behaviour, AI, and business innovation. His book, The Art and Science of Selling, is available on Amazon. He currently serves as a Support Coordinator at Home Group, promoting independence and improved quality of life. |
| Emma Petty | Committee Member | Head of Marketing, ITogether |
Emma is a marketing and events professional at ITogether, specialising in B2B technology, network infrastructure and cyber security. Emma focuses on creating engaging events, strategic partnerships and community-led initiatives that connect IT leaders, vendors and industry experts, and is passionate about helping organisations strengthen engagement with their members through relevant, high-quality events and communications.
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| Amit Bhagwat | Inclusion Officer | Chair, CEO, Programme Manager, Lead Enterprise Architect, Chief Software Engineer | Amit has worked on using Information & Communication effectively and safely to Improve Intelligence, Engagement & Reach of Institutions going back to the 90s, having contributed computational solutions to Materials Science and Astronomy before that. In 2000 he was serving as Head of Design for an Info-Systems Multinational, when he moved to UK and was rated very Highly Skilled Migrant able to establish ~twice the points needed to be placed in the top tier of the British points-based system. Within BCS, he has been known as Chair and Treasurer of Specialist Groups and Chair of successful International Events - notably on the Software Practice Advancement, Information Governance and Enterprise Architecture themes, long before the pandemic made hybrid events the norm. Amit has advised the Government Data Sharing Review and the Westminster Science & Technology Select Committee on related themes. Beyond the sector, Amit has enjoyed a rich Board portfolio across Third Sector (including multiple chair roles), Regulators, in Public Interest Protection/Senior Independent roles and Public Engagement Roles. He has also Chaired and Served as independent member of Public Sector Inquiries/Assessments/Reviews and Government Scientific Advisory Bodies across OECD, EU, UK and Eire. |
