Meet our trustees, executives and council

Mr Daljit Rehal FBCS
President 2025-2026
Daljit Rehal is the Chief Digital & Information Officer for HMRC
Daljit joined in Sept 2020 as CDIO for HMRC. Daljit is responsible for all IT systems for HMRC and VOA, Daljit is also responsible for the running of Live Services of critical systems for our customers.
Daljit is a member of Cross Government forum and is a subject matter expert in his field, he is a proven leader with experience in creating business value through Culture, People, Process and Technology.
Daljit has a particular passion for leading change, focused on customer outcomes. He has over 20 years of experience in exploiting a variety of enterprise technologies and managing vendor relationships and outsource partners to achieve business objectives.

EUR ING Alastair Revell CITP CEng FBCS
Immediate Past President 2025-2026
Alastair leads the management and technology consulting practice that he established in 1985. He holds a number of board appointments with IT bodies, including the Engineering Council. He is passionate about ethical practice and an ardent advocate of chartered professionalism.

Sarah Winmill CITP CEng FBCS
Deputy President 2025 – 2026
Sarah joined the Ministry of Defence in 2020 as CIO of the Functions, moving to Head of Software Products in Defence’s Digital Foundry in 2024. Previously she was Chief Information Officer for the British Transport Police, leading the delivering of ICT services supporting 3,500 police officers across Great Britain. In 2020 she was #6 in the UK CIO100, improving her 2019 position, when she was also listed as one of the 50 Most Influential Women in UK Tech. A past Chair of Charity IT Leaders, her career has seen her work at some of the UK's most iconic visitor attractions including the V&A Museum, Royal Albert Hall, Royal Academy of Arts, Hampton Court Palace and HM Tower of London, as well as University College London. Throughout her career she has been passionate about delivering outcomes for high expectation customers where there is only one chance to get it right.
Sarah is a Chartered IT Professional (CITP), a Chartered Engineer (CEng), a Chartered Fellow (FBCS) of BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists. She is an alumnus of the Royal College of Music, holds an MSc in Data Communications from Kingston University, London and an MBA from the Open University. She served in the Royal Signals, Territorial Army in the 1990’s and is a current member of the UK Cyber Reserve.
Sarah is passionate about working in tech and the creative opportunities tech careers offer all, particularly those from areas of society currently under-represented in the industry.

Nic Granger FCA CITP FBCS
Vice-President, Finance 2025-2028
Having worked internationally and in the UK in both the commercial and public sectors, Nic has served as Chief Information and Financial Officer. She leads an award-winning team that delivers digital, data, technology, and financial solutions for the North Sea Transition Authority. She also chairs the Offshore Energy Digital Strategy Group, sits on the boards of CAST: the Centre for the Acceleration of Social Technology and the Bat Conservation Trust, and is a member of a technology and data assurance panel for a housing association. Nic was included in the CIO100 list for 2023 and 2024, as well as the Government Transformation100 list for 2024.

Mr Robert Thompson FBCS
Vice-President, Trustee Director, BCS Learning & Development Ltd 2024-2027
Rob, an accomplished CTO & CDIO, spearheads technology and innovation at the UK Home Office. Renowned for strategic vision and impactful leadership, he excels in digital transformation, product development, and leading large-scale IT organisations, delivering critical services in challenging environments.

Professor Alastair Irons CITP FBCS
Vice-President, Academy 2023-2026
Alastair is Dean of the Faculty of Technology at the University of Sunderland. He’s held a wide range of senior academic positions over his three-decade career and was part of the consortium that obtained the Institute of Coding project, worth £40m.

Sharon Moore MBE CITP FBCS
Vice-President, Registration and Standards Committee 2025-2028
Sharon is IBM's CTO for Public Sector in the UK, with a personal goal to transform public service, safety and policing with technology. She has nearly 20 years of experience working in the tech industry, across multiple sectors, and you’ll often find her on stage helping shape the impact technology can have on our lives.

Dr Kevin Chalmers CITP CEng FBCS
Vice-President, Community Board 2024-2027

Dr Kevin Chalmers is Deputy Dean at the University of Roehampton and a senior academic leader with extensive experience in computing education, curriculum development, and professional standards. As Vice-President and Chair of the Community Board at BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, he is committed to fostering collaboration across the BCS membership, supporting professional growth, and advancing the role of IT in society.

With a background in software engineering, Dr Chalmers has contributed to the development of computing education frameworks and accreditation standards, ensuring alignment with industry needs and professional best practices. He has been an active member of BCS for many years, advocating for professional recognition and the continuous development of computing professionals.

Beyond BCS, he plays a key role in the Council of Professors and Heads of Computing (CPHC), shaping national policy on computing education. Passionate about leadership in academia, he is dedicated to supporting computing professionals at all career stages and strengthening the connection between academic institutions, industry, and professional bodies.

Eliot Smith MBCS
Chair of Council 

Eliot is Chair of Council at BCS, having first been elected to Council in 2021. He has a background in management consulting, with expertise in technology strategy, digital transformation, and financial operations across both public and private sector clients.

He is a Manager in the Consulting Practice at NTT DATA, where he leads engagements in cloud strategy, cost optimisation, and digital transformation. A long-standing BCS member since university, Eliot is committed to strengthening professional standards and increasing engagement with young people in the industry.

Outside of his professional work, Eliot serves as Chair of Governors at a London primary school and is a reservist in the British Army.

Jo Stansfield MBCS
Elected by Council 2023-2026

Jo is Founder of Inclusioneering, a social enterprise that supports technology and engineering organisations with Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Responsible Innovation practices. Jo began her career as an engineer, developing enterprise software for global industry. Having pivoted her focus to human dimensions of engineering, Jo now works as a Business Psychologist. She brings deep understanding of the engineering culture, and lived experience as a woman within it, to her work.

EUR ING Dr Yuri Vershinin CEng FBCS
Elected by Council 2025 - 2026

Dr. Yuri A. Vershinin joined Coventry University, as Senior Lecturer, Assistant Professor in late 2000 after his research at Aston University, following on from his industrial career. His industrial work experience included digital systems design for automation and control. His recent research has been carried out in the area of self-tuning and adaptive control systems. He has worked in machine vision, image processing and computer graphics. He was the Principal Investigator in several engineering and consultancy projects financed by the EPSRC and industrial organisations. He led the scientific research group working on the project financed by the European Union Commission, which includes 19 partner organizations from 12 countries.

Professor James Davenport CITP HonFBCS
Elected by Council 2025-2026
James has been at the University of Bath since 1983, after researching at Grenoble, Cambridge and IBM USA. He is in both departments of Mathematical Sciences and Computer Science, as well as having significant roles in the Computing Service (HPC, Security). He has chaired several European research grants.

Charlie Houston-Brown CEng MBCS
Elected by Council 2024-2027

Charlie is the founder of RushKeep Solutions which supports organisations to improve their operations pragmatically by using digital technologies appropriate for them.

He has previously led IT systems and held financial P&L responsibilities in both the international and UK manufacturing sectors - with complex supply chains which required excellent product/data quality, a focus on process optimisation and a zest for continuous improvement.

Charlie is passionate about our BCS member group network: its commitment to the importance of connecting locally to make IT good for society and to improving digital inclusion. He has established the Reboot IT For All CIC to support the redistribution of computer hardware.

Charlie chairs the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce Digital Forum – seeking to drive Government policy to support local business whilst creating a collaborative culture in the digital sector that also remembers its social responsibilities.

Sharron Gunn FCA MBCS
Chief Executive Officer

Since joining BCS in August, Sharron has been driving the transformation of its learning and development and membership divisions, focusing on enhancing value for members and strengthening BCS’s role as the professional body for information technology. As CEO, she is responsible for shaping the organisation’s long-term vision and strategic priorities, ensuring BCS continues to influence policy and professional standards across the IT sector. She also leads the executive team, represents BCS to key stakeholders, and drives initiatives that promote the role of technology in making a positive impact on society.

Before joining BCS, Sharron held senior leadership positions at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), including Executive Director for Membership, Commercial and Shared Services, and most recently, Chief Operations Officer. Earlier in her career, Sharron spent seven years at Sainsbury’s in strategic financial management roles.

Sharron is a Business and Finance Professional, and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Louise Gulliver
Deputy Group CEO, Executive Director, Membership, Marketing and External Affairs

Louise leads BCS’ strategy for member engagement, growth, and retention, shaping the overall member experience and enhancing the organisation’s brand visibility. Louise is also responsible for embedding customer-centricity across BCS’ services and driving initiatives that ensure BCS remains relevant and valuable to members throughout their careers.

Before joining BCS, Louise held senior leadership roles at the Institute of Directors (IoD), the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), and TACK International. At CIPS, she led a global transformation of the member proposition, brand strategy, and public affairs function, strengthening the organisation’s positioning and reach.

Louise is a Chartered Marketer, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, and a Lifetime Fellow of the Institute of Directors.

Julia Adamson MBE CITP FBCS FRSA 
Executive Director, Education and Public Benefit
Since November 2022, Julia has been responsible for driving the organisation’s educational strategy, securing grants and service delivery contracts to support national upskilling programmes, and leading a multi-disciplinary team to deliver impactful learning initiatives. Julia focuses on building partnerships with government, academia, and industry to influence policy, shape computing education, and enhance digital skills provision across the UK. Previously Julia has also served in other leadership roles within BCS, including Executive Director of Education, and Head of Public Affairs.

Prior to joining BCS, Julia held senior roles in education and digital strategy, including Senior Manager at South West Grid for Learning, where she led an organisational restructure and region-wide interoperability projects, and Area Manager at MGL Ltd, supporting schools to adopt educational technology. Earlier in her career, Julia worked as a Science & ICT teacher, and education consultant, specialising in curriculum design, ICT integration, and inclusive learning.

Julia is a Fellow of BCS, a Chartered IT Professional, and holds a Certificate in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors. She was also awarded an MBE in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours List, for Services to Education.

Annette Allmark
Executive Director, Awarding & Assessment

Appointed in July 2025, Annette is responsible for leading BCS’s awarding and assessment strategy, overseeing the development and delivery of high-quality qualifications and certifications that support digital skills and career progression. She drives innovation in assessment methods and ensures that BCS’s qualifications remain relevant, trusted, and aligned with industry and educational needs. Before taking on her current role, Annette served as Director of Learning and Development Product Commercialisation, and before that as Head of Apprenticeships at BCS.

Prior to joining BCS, Annette held several senior roles at People 1st International, including Director of Strategic Policy, where she played a pivotal role in shaping government apprenticeship reforms and developing one of the first employer-led External Quality Assurance (EQA) models, formally approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships. As Head of Professional Standards, she designed and delivered accreditation systems, quality mark schemes, and employer-driven national standards to improve training and qualifications in the hospitality, travel, and retail sectors.

Patricia Barlow
Executive Director, Product

Patricia is responsible for leading the organisation’s product strategy, overseeing the development, delivery, and optimisation of BCS’ portfolio of qualifications, certifications, and learning solutions. Patricia drives innovation and ensures that BCS’ products meet the evolving needs of learners, professionals, and employers across the digital and IT sectors. Before taking on her current role, Patricia was the Head of Product at BCS.

Prior to joining BCS, Patricia spent eight years at Babington, holding several senior roles including Head of Solutions Architecture, and Product Development Manager, where she managed the creation of blended learning programmes and innovative training solutions. Earlier in her career, she worked as an AAT Tutor, training apprentices and learners both in the classroom and online, and as a Training Executive at Sage, where she delivered client training and supported product adoption.

Kuldeep Bruce
Executive Director, Sales

Returning to BCS in August 2025, Kuldeep leads the organisation’s sales and account management strategy, focusing on driving sustainable revenue growth, expanding market reach, and developing strategic partnerships. Kuldeep works closely with internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure BCS’ products and services deliver maximum value to members, employers, and partners.

Before rejoining BCS, Kuldeep worked as a sales and events management specialist, supporting organisations with sales strategy, performance optimisation, and large-scale event planning. Prior to that, she spent over four years at Carlton James Global Investment Group, serving as Head of Sales, then Global Sales Director, and later Global Sales and Marketing Director, where she led international sales growth and investor engagement. Earlier in her career, Kuldeep spent nearly five years at BCS as a Business Development Manager, forging strong client relationships and expanding BCS’ reach across its professional membership and qualifications offering, leaving in 2017.

Wendy Franklin
Executive Director, Group Finance
With over two decades of financial leadership experience at BCS, Wendy oversees the organisation’s financial strategy, planning, and performance. Wendy is responsible for ensuring robust financial governance, managing risk, and supporting sustainable growth, working closely with the executive team to align financial priorities with BCS’s long-term vision and strategic objectives.

Wendy has spent more than 24 years at BCS, previously serving as Director of Group Finance, where she played a pivotal role in managing financial operations, implementing efficient systems, and supporting the organisation’s expansion. Before joining BCS, Wendy was the Financial Controller at Audience Systems Ltd, and Company Accountant at Bonar Automation Ltd, where she managed financial planning and reporting functions. She also worked as a Budgeting & Forecasting Accountant at Vodafone.

Carl Harris CITP MBCS
Chief of Staff
Carl works closely with the CEO and executive team to drive strategic priorities, enable cross-functional collaboration, and ensure operational excellence across the organisation. Carl plays a central role in aligning BCS’ vision with its delivery, supporting key initiatives that enhance influence, member value, and organisational impact.

Carl has built an extensive career at BCS spanning over 27 years, holding a range of senior leadership roles. Most recently, he served as Interim Director for IT and Transformation, where he led digital transformation initiatives, IT strategy, and large-scale organisational change. As Managing Director, Brand, he oversaw the development and execution of strategies to strengthen BCS’ reputation and influence across industry, academia, and government. Previously, Carl was BCS’ Group Marketing Director, Director of IT and Operations, Business Technology Director, Head of Web and Application Development, and other web-based roles. Carl also serves as a Board Trustee at The Blue Kite Academy Trust.

Carl is a Chartered IT Professional.

Kirsty Jordan
Executive Director, People and Culture

Appointed in July 2025, Kirsty leads the organisation’s people strategy, focusing on creating an inclusive, high-performance culture that supports BCS’ mission and long-term goals. Kirsty is responsible for shaping talent development, employee engagement, and organisational change, ensuring BCS attracts, retains, and nurtures top talent across the business. 

Kirsty has been with BCS for over eight years, most recently serving as Head of HR, and before that, she spent seven years as an HR Business Partner. Before joining BCS, Kirsty spent nearly seven years at South Marston DC Ltd, in several HR roles including HR Manager.

Kirsty is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Nadine Stewart
Executive Director, Operations and Transformation 

Appointed in July 2025, Nadine leads the organisation’s operational strategy and transformation agenda, overseeing the Programme Management Office, strategic change initiatives, and unified project governance. Nadine is responsible for driving organisational efficiency, embedding customer-centric practices, and ensuring BCS delivers on its mission to support IT professionals and make IT good for society.

Nadine has been with BCS for nearly 11 years, most recently serving as Head of Transformation, where she led large-scale strategic change programmes, improving business performance and driving employee engagement. Prior to that, she was Head of Qualification Services, and Operations Manager (Education). Before joining BCS, she spent almost a decade at the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, where she worked as Operations Manager, leading operational systems, quality frameworks, and business improvement initiatives.

Nadine is an Associate Member of the Institute of Leadership.

BCS Council acts as the conscience of the Institute, advising and guiding our Trustee Board and holding it accountable against our royal charter, charitable objectives and values.

Who sits on BCS Council?