Long-time volunteer Alastair Revell has been announced as the new president of BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT.
Revell is president and management consultant of Exeter-based Revell Research Systems, a management and technology consulting practice established in 1985.
The firm provides IT advice and services to professional services firms and smaller corporations.
He has held senior volunteer positions at BCS for ten years, and served as vice president of the community for almost six years, before being elected vice president last year. He has also served on various BCS governance committees since 2010, including Records and Standards.
“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,” Revell said.
Revell replaces Gillian Arnold, who will remain active within BCS as immediate past president.
“Gillian has championed the engagement of our community members and experts to shape our voice and influence thought leadership. In addition to co-authoring our recently published Ethics Report, she has also led knowledge sharing and education around to equity, diversity and inclusion,” said Holly Porter, BCS CEO (Institute).
“We are delighted that he will continue to be a key part of our senior government team now that his term has ended and are grateful that we can continue to benefit from his guidance and expertise.”
Meanwhile, Daljit Rehal, HMRC's chief information and digital officer and member of the Cross Government forum, has been appointed vice-president.
Revell holds board positions at other IT bodies, including the Institution of Analysts and Programmers and the Trustworthy Software Foundation, and is also a trustee of the Engineering Council.
He was part of the team that created the UK Cyber Security Council and was also appointed by two UK Information Commissioners, advising them on technological opportunities and threats to the privacy and data protection of UK citizens.
“Alastair brings IT leadership experience at the highest levels and will be a powerful voice for BCS,” Porter said.
“He is a strong supporter of Chartered's professionalism and its role in providing independent standards of quality, assurance and trust in IT – and this is a key message he will carry into an election year.”
Revell is expected to push for greater recognition of professional registrations, especially chartered status for technologists.
In a recent report, the BCS called for the creation of a public registry of IT professionals working in AI, licensed to meet independent ethical standards.
“We have a registry of doctors who can be removed. AI professionals already play an important role in our life chances, so why shouldn't they be licensed and registered too?” said BCS executive Rashik Parmar.
“By setting high standards, the UK can lead the way in responsible computing and be an example to the world. Many people are mistakenly convinced that AI will become the Terminator rather than a trusted guide and friend, so we must build public confidence in its incredible potential.”
