With the appointment, Gillian has called for the industry to focus on increasing public trust in tech through ethics and professionalism.
A past chair of BCS Women and managing director of tech recruitment and training company Tectre, Gillian described the appointment as “an honour.”
She continued, “As the professional body for IT, we recognise the ever-increasing importance of professionalism and code of conduct for those working in the sector – particularly in light of the rise of AI”.”
“My focus as BCS President will be on helping to build public trust in tech through ethics and standards, and frameworks of professionalism.”
With extensive experience in the IT industry, Gillian setup her own IT Training and Diversity Recuitment company, Tectre, which helps women find technology roles. Gillian’s early career was spent working for IBM where she held customer facing training, technical, sales, business development, strategic marketing and consultancy roles.
She has a long involvement with work for Women in IT, supporting both industry and academic institutions in their work on diversity. She currently leads the CEPIS Women in Tech Taskforce, working across greater Europe, and created the DiversIT Charter for them. She has won numerous accolades for her work on Women in Tech including the 2012 Cisco/Everywoman In Technology award; Inclusion Inspiration of the year, an entry in the Computer Weekly Hall of Fame, and an honorary doctorate from the University of Bath.
Professor Sue Black OBE – Professor of Computer Science at Durham University and Technology Evangelist – has also been announced as the new Deputy President of BCS.
An award winning Computer Scientist, Technology Evangelist and Digital Skills Expert, Professor Sue Black was awarded an OBE for “services to technology” in the 2016 Queen’s New Year’s Honours list. She is Professor of Computer Science and Technology Evangelist in the Department of Computer Science at Durham University, a UK government advisor, thought leader, Trustee at Comic Relief, social entrepreneur, writer and public speaker. Sue set up the UK’s first online network for women in tech BCSWomen in 1998 and led the campaign to save Bletchley Park. Sue’s first book Saving Bletchley Park details the social media campaign she led to save Bletchley Park from 2008-2011, it has been an Amazon UK bestseller.
Speaking of her appointment, Sue said, “Having been involved with BCS since the 1990s, including setting up the UK’s first online network for women in tech BCSWomen, I am really looking forward to working with Gillian, engaging with members and supporting BCS colleagues.”
