The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall leadership of the Science Council, and in partnership with the charity’s constituent Members setting its values, standards, aims and objectives and delivering them in line with the objects of the Royal Charter. The Board is responsible for ensuring that the Science Council functions within the legal, regulatory and financial requirements of a registered charity.
The Board consists of a Chair (who is a trustee), between 8 and 12 Elected Trustees and up to 3 Appointed Trustees. The Board can also co-opt members to fill up to two elected trustee vacancies that may arise between General Meetings. Elected Trustees are elected by Member Bodies to serve in this capacity as individuals and not as representatives of organisations, interest groups or sectors. Elected Trustees serve a three-year term with the option of re-election for a further three years. Find out more about joining the Board.
Adam has worked for the IES in various roles since 2006. In 2013 he was made the organisation's first CEO. Adam is a Chartered Environmentalist. Between July 2014 and March 2015, he was the Interim CEO of the Society for the Environment, an umbrella body for registration, bringing together 24 professional institutes. He has held board positions as Vice President of the European Network of Environmental Professionals (ENEP) and was a non-Executive Director of Change Agents UK (2011-16).
He was the 2014 Young Leader of the Year at the Association Awards UK. He holds an MBA and a BA in History, and has a passion for long-distance running.
Adam is the Chair of the Science Council's Technical Pathway Programme Board that oversees a project to engage the science community with technical education.
Matt is the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Public Affairs Manager. He has over 20 years of experience in public affairs, engaging with government, parliament and other stakeholders to effect change in public policy. Having started his career as an MP’s researcher and then working in the health sector, Matt has since headed up public affairs at organisations such as Shelter, RNIB and Cancer Research UK before moving into the science sector. With previous experience as a media officer too, Matt has a keen interest in language and communication, originally sparked by studying Politics, German and Psychology at Durham University. He stood for election to the Science Council board to be able to use his knowledge and experience in translating often complex ideas into high impact engagement with ministers, shadow ministers and other parliamentarians. In addition, Matt works to engage individual scientists in public policy influencing, to maximise the effectiveness of the science sector’s voice. Matt is also a trustee of LGBT+ adoption and fostering charity New Family Social and lives in Brighton with his husband and son. In what spare time is left, he enjoys going to live music, reading and collecting books and is a season ticket holder at Tottenham Hotspur.
Dr Jade Hall (Diversity Champion) (2022-2025)
Jade is currently a Senior Science Policy Officer for the Royal Society of Biology. With over three years of policy experience, key areas of interest include equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), research culture and research integrity. By working with RSB’s CEO, board of trustees, committees, staff and member organisations, Jade assists with planning and implementing a programme of work to pro-actively promote and embed EDI into RSB’s current organisational policies, practices and behaviours.
Jade also has an interest in innovative interdisciplinary research ignited by completing her PhD in biomechanics and animal welfare science via the London Interdisciplinary Biosciences Consortium, the largest BBSRC, funded Doctoral Training Partnership in the UK. To date, Jade has enjoyed various career paths working as a research technician for the Structure and Motion Laboratory, Royal Veterinary College, and as a research associate for Genzyme Diagnostics UK.
Jade has a passion for engaging and supporting the upcoming generation of scientists and assisting in creating an environment where they can thrive regardless of background. In addition, Jade enjoys volunteering as a mentor for the Social Mobility Foundation, and speaking at careers events aimed at empowering people from marginalised ethnic backgrounds to pursue careers and research opportunities in STEM.
Ruth Kaufman (2022-2025)
Before retiring from government in 2008, she was a member of ECGD’s Executive Board, as Head of Strategy, Change and OR. Ruth was a co-founder of the Pro Bono OR initiative where she continues to play a leading role. She is Chair of the board of trustees of airline and maritime safety charity CHIRP, a member of the Executive Committee of the proto-Academy for the Mathematical Sciences, a trustee of Humanists UK, and adviser to the Finance Committee of the National Federation of Women's Institutes, as well as undertaking other voluntary roles both within and beyond the OR community. She was awarded an OBE for “Services to Operational Research” in the 2016 New Year’s Honours List.
Niels Pederson (Honorary Treasurer (2024-2027)
Following a career in banking, Niels now focuses on the not-for-profit sector. He holds an M.Sc. in Charity Accounting and Financial Management from Bayes Business School. He is the Treasurer and Vice-Chair of Young Camden Foundation, a member of Amnesty International UK’s Finance, Audit & Risk Sub-Committee and a charity-sector voluntary management consultant for the Cranfield Trust. The latter role involves providing free consultancy services to small- to medium-sized charities. Prior to the move to the not-for-profit sector, Niels spent 30 years in corporate and investment banking working for Mitsubishi UFJ, Bank of America and Barclays, and serving UK and international corporate clients. At Barclays, Niels was part of the senior leadership team for Corporate Debt and was head of Corporate Loans Transaction Management. Niels, originally from Denmark, left his home country in 1989, to work, for a short period, in Sapporo, Japan before moving to London in 1990. Niels enjoys the cultural offerings of London but also enjoys getting out of the capital to go hiking.
Professor Catherine Ross CSci. CBiol. FRSB. FAHCS. FESC (2023-2026)
Catherine Ross is the Chief Scientific Officer for Scotland, Scottish Government’s most senior clinical advisor for Healthcare Science professional issues, and head of profession for the scientific workforce within the NHS in Scotland. She provides expert professional advice to Scottish Ministers and Policy Officials and leadership for all aspects of policy which impact on the scientific workforce including education, research and clinical practice.
Catherine is a non-executive director of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Northern Irelands largest health trust. Catherine is a Chartered Scientist and Chartered Biologist and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, the Academy of Healthcare Science, the National Institute of Prevention and Cardiovascular Health in Ireland and the European Society of Cardiology. She is a Visiting Professor at Edinburgh Napier University, Manchester Metropolitan University and Honorary Research Consultant in NHS Lothian.
Catherine holds a number of senior leadership positions Nationally and Internationally and has served as the President of the Professional Body for Cardiac Scientists. She is the current Vice-Chair of the Science Council, the international awarding body of Chartership in Science, as well as a member of the Science Council Board of Trustees and Chair of the Policy Advisory Committee. She is currently an executive Board member of the Association of Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions within the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and is the current Secretary/Treasurer of the Board and Chair of the European Society of Cardiology Taskforce on Allied Professionals. She represents Scotland on the International Federation of Medical and Biological Engineering (IFMBE) Board and is a member of the International (IFMBE) scientific programme committee. In recognition of her work supporting women leaders has been an invited delegate for the UK UN Women delegation on the UN Commission on the Status of Women.
Catherine’s professional interests include cross-boundary working, professional identity and heart failure and is an Editorial Board member of the British Journal of Cardiology and peer reviewer for a number of international scientific journals. She has led and been involved in a number of STEM initiatives aimed at inspiring children and in particular girls, to pursue a career in science.
Daljeet Kaur Sandher (2022-2025)
Daljeet is Head of Operations for Coventry and Warwickshire Pathology Service (CWPS) with operational oversight of the Biochemistry, Haematology, Blood Transfusion, Immunology, Virology, Microbiology, Histology, Mortuary, Phlebotomy and Specimen Reception departments across three NHS Trusts offering services to over 1.8 million patients across the region. Daljeet is a registered Biomedical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and a member of the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS). She has over 8 years’ experience in the NHS and has worked in various Pathology disciplines. She has a BSc and an MSc both in Biomedical Science, and has completed a Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership. Daljeet has particular experience in workforce strategy, recruitment and retention, and staff engagement. She is committed to raising the profile of Scientists and ensuring the future of the workforce is protected and expanded through training and development, and that these opportunities are accessible to everyone.
David Wells (2022-2025)
David is recognised as being one of the 100 powerful advocates for pathology in the global community by the Pathologist magazine in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. Until June 2021 David was leading the NHS England and Improvement Pathology consolidation programme, seeking to deliver efficient, high quality pathology services across England.
During the COVID 19 Pandemic David led NHS England’s laboratory response across the country by managing technology deployment, capacity, funding and workforce to ensure that all capacity requirements were met. The role included advising ministers and healthcare leaders whilst providing policy and strategic direction as a subject matter expert.
In recognition of this work and the work in transforming England’s pathology services, the Royal College of Pathologists awarded David Honorary fellowship of the college in 2020. David was also awarded honorary Doctor of Science by Anglia Ruskin University in recognition of his contribution to the national response during the pandemic. In 2021 David was awarded the CSO’s Lifetime Achievement award again in recognition of his leadership of Pathology services during the Pandemic.
David has a diverse and almost unique experience of providing and leading pathology services to primary, secondary and tertiary care across all pathology disciplines and out into other areas of Healthcare science and diagnostics.
David has previously been an elected IBMS council member for the London Region. David has also represented the IBMS on NICE diagnostic advisory panels, and various national forums including an observer on the Royal College of Pathologist Council and in the Parliamentary and Science committee.
David was appointed Chief Executive of the Institute of Biomedical Science in June 2021 to lead this global professional body representing 21,000 members across 74 countries. Additionally, David was appointed the Scientific Lead for Pathology, for NHS London, in September 2021.
Subcommittees
The Science Council Board of Trustees delegates various functions to its three sub-committees:
Registration Authority
The Registration Authority advises the Science Council Board on matters relating to the four professional registers and is responsible for upholding the registration standards. Members of the Registration Authority are employees or volunteers from Licensed Bodies who have expertise in registration and licensing standards and practice. All members are appointed by the Board of Trustees. The Chair of the Registration Authority attends Board meetings in their capacity as Chair of the Committee.
Dr Hilary Jeffreys CSci (Chair of the Registration Authority)
Paul Ashford CSci
Pete Barratt CSci
Vicky Collett CSci
Cliff Collis CSci
Sophie Dunajko
Katy Grundy
Tahmina Hussain CSci
Brenda Peters CSci
Jocelyn Price CSci
Leisha Watson
Matt Wood RSci
Observers from the Engineering Council and Society for the Environment are invited to attend Registration Authority meetings.
The Finance, Audit & Risk (FAR) Committee helps the Science Council Board meet its responsibilities with regard to financial systems and controls including regulatory and statutory compliance and risk management. The Committee is composed of trustees, who may be independent members, and non-trustee independent members. Non-trustee independent members are appointed by the Board and have recent, relevant financial and/or accounting expertise. The Chair of the FAR Committee is an independent member and attends Board meetings in their capacity as Chair of the Committee.
The Nominations Committee provides, develops and maintains formal, rigorous and transparent procedures for Board and other key appointments. All Committee members are trustees of the Board.
If you have an interest in a particular governance area and would like to explore current vacancies, please visit our vacancies page or contact Oli O’Hanlon.
Board & Trustee FAQs
What does the Board and its trustees do?
The role of the Board of Trustees is to:
ensure that the Science Council has a clear strategic focus
ensure that the Science Council fulfills its charitable objectives
ensure that the Science Council complies with its legal and regulatory requirements
act as guardians of the charity’s assets, both tangible and intangible, and ensure the financial stability of the organisation
monitor and hold management to account
The Charity Commission, our Royal Charter and Bylaws, our Trustee Role Description and our Trustee Code of Conduct set out the responsibilities of trustees.
What is the time commitment?
Trustees serve for an initial three-year term.
There are normally four board meetings per year, held quarterly and set around the charity’s financial reporting cycle. Board meetings last approximately 3 hours.
In addition to formal meetings, trustees may also be required to serve on individual board subcommittees, working groups or be invite to represent the Science Council at external meetings and events.
Trustees are expected to attend the Annual General Meeting, which is normally held in June or July.
It is every applicant's responsibility to receive consent from their employer, if necessary, that it is willing to release the applicant for the time commitments involved.
Who is eligible to stand for election?
Anyone can become a trustee of the Science Council as long as they have the energy and commitment for the role.
It is worthy noting that sixty percent of Elected Trustees will come from Member Bodies. They will be either members or employees. Up to 40% of Elected Trustees will come from outside the membership and must not be employees or members of Member Bodies.
Who elects the trustees?
Trustees are elected by our Member Bodies, with each Member having one vote. Ballot forms containing the name and other relevant details of candidates for election are sent to every Member Body of the Science Council at least four weeks prior to the date of the Annual General Meeting.
What type of people does the Board look for?
The Board values diversity and actively encourages applications from a wide range of backgrounds and roles to stand for election.
What information will you need to provide?
Applicants will be asked to provide details of their current post and summary of their career to date, a personal statement, a summary of their suitability to join the Board, and an up-to-date photo. This information will be circulated to Member Bodies to provide them with the necessary information to make a decision on your suitability for the role.
What happens after an application is submitted?
After the application deadline, the Nominations Committee will review the applications received against the Board's skills requirements. The Committee will then make a recommendation to the Board, which will then put forward candidates to election.
What support will new trustees receive?
New trustees are expected to participate in trustee induction sessions. This will include meeting with the Chief Executive, Governance Manager and the Chair of the Board.
New trustees will also be invited to attend Board committees to get a better understanding of the work they do in support of the Board. Throughout their term of office, trustee's are encouraged to undertake training, and attend conferences and events to equip them with the knowledge needed to discharge their duties.
For more information about becoming a trustee
If you would like more information on becoming a trustee please contact Oli O’Hanlon.