• Swindon & Wiltshire Appointments
• Thursday March 14 2024
• Author Name: Peter Davison

BCS names Alastair Revell as its new president

Swindon-headquartered BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, has named Alastair Revell as its new president.

Alastair has held senior volunteer roles in BCS for a decade and runs professional services and IT consultancy firm Revell Research Systems in Exeter.

Alastair takes over from Gillian Arnold, who remains an active leader at BCS as immediate past president.

Daljit Rehal, chief digital & information officer for HMRC, has been named as deputy president.

Alastair takes over as head of the professional body for the IT industry at a time when ethics are at the forefront of the public’s concerns – from issues like the Post Office Horizon IT scandal to general fears over artificial intelligence and the way it will affect our lives.

There are also concerns over the way that social media-generated and deepfake images and videos might impact the results of elections in the UK and US.

“Ethics and professionalism in the development and use of technology are more important than ever in the wake of the Post Office Horizon IT scandal,” said Alastair.

“I thank Gillian Arnold for her commitment to establishing these themes during her presidential year and I hope to continue that outstanding work.”

Alastair’s presidential year coincides with the 40th anniversary of BCS receiving its Royal Charter from HM Queen Elizabeth II.

Holly Porter, managing director (Institute) at BCS said: “The thanks of our membership community go to outgoing president Gillian Arnold FBCS for keeping ethics and the value of diversity at the forefront of the technology profession. Her contribution has made a significant impact.

“Gillian has championed the engagement of members and experts from our community in shaping our voice as well as influencing thought leadership. In addition to co-authoring our recently published Ethics Report she has also led knowledge sharing and education around equity, diversity and inclusion.

“We are delighted that she remains a key part of our senior governance team now her term is over and are grateful that we can continue to benefit from her guidance and expertise.

“Alastair brings experience of information technology leadership at the highest levels and will be a powerful voice for BCS.

“He is an ardent advocate of Chartered professionalism and its role in providing independent standards of quality, assurance and trust in IT; and this is a key message he will be taking into an election year.”

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