2026 Fellows

Biography

Tom leads the FSA’s Innovation Hub, which   is responsible for   the regulation of novel foods, genetic   technology   and innovative products. The hub aims to protect consumers by making sure these new foods are safe before they can be sold, as well as giving greater clarity on regulatory requirements to innovators and investors .  

Biography

Steven Fulbrook is Digital Lead in the UK Ministry of Defence’s Directorate of Assurance. With over thirty years’ public‑sector experience, he specialises in modernising professional services through data and AI. He currently leads practical adoption of AI across the Directorate—including an agentic AI proof‑of‑concept for early‑phase estimating—and exploitation of Microsoft 365 Copilot. He has   a track record   of multidisciplinary team working and collaboration across independent project   estimating,   commercial and transformation roles. His innovations include the digital design and delivery of multidisciplinary hackathons. Steven studied Economics and International Relations at Lancaster University.   

Biography

George started his career in the world of Formula E and rapid prototyping, before leading a spin out in the smart mobility space. In 2017, he joined Oxfordshire County Council to lead the Future of Mobility Team, managing   numerous   innovation projects ranging   from self-driving vehicles and drones,   to active travel and strategic modelling. He joined DfT as Head of the Transport Research and Innovation Board (TRIB ), and   later became the Department’s Head of AI and Autonomy Technologies. He currently serves as the Head of Digital Twins, working internally and externally to support   appropriate use   of this technological approach.  

Biography

Sofka Brown is currently senior advisor on international technology policy at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, working with colleagues across HM Government in the UK and overseas to advance the UK’s strategic advantage in tech. Previously Deputy Director for the UK Government’s Science and Technology Network (STN) in the US, based in the British Consulate in San Francisco, Sofka is a career diplomat, and her roles have   centred   on creating innovative collaborations to help solve complex challenges, from conflict management and resolution through to technology governance. She has been a senior policy advisor to the UK National Security Council, and part of the UK representation to the United Nations Security Council in New York. Sofka has also worked on Russia and the South Caucasus, European prosperity, and digital diplomacy. Prior to starting work at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, she worked for a financial services firm in Cambridge, supporting start-ups in accessing funding from business angel networks and VC, and administering what is now the known as the Stradivari Trust.  

Biography

Rishav   Punatar   is a Senior Delivery Manager at the Incubator for Artificial Intelligence (i.AI), an AI product team founded by 10 Downing Street and now in DSIT. He leads delivery for AI evaluation work focused on pedagogy and safety in AI tutoring systems, in partnership with DfE and frontier labs. Prior to joining i.AI, Rishav led enterprise GenAI transformation for Fortune 500 clients as a consultant. He holds a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Warwick.    
 

Biography

Dr. Joe Home is an NHS Public Health Clinician and Honorary Researcher at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the University of Salford, combining frontline clinical experience with deep expertise in health policy and governance.  

Currently a Public Health Specialty Registrar, he leads research into health systems, inequity, and outbreak management across London, collaborating with stakeholders to implement strategic interventions. Additionally, Joe serves as a Tribunal Member for the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS), applying his training in medical law and ethics to adjudicate fitness-to-practice hearings.  

He holds degrees in medicine, business (MBA), medical law and healthcare ethics, and public health. His research explores the intersection of law, ethics, and technology, with a focus on the ethical and regulatory implications of deploying artificial intelligence in healthcare.  

Biography

Gabi Commatteo  is an experienced policy professional with a decade of expertise in AI governance and policymaking.  Since 2021, Gabi has played a pivotal role in shaping the UK's approach to AI regulation by holding different positions at DCMS then DSIT, UK AISI and the MHRA. Her contributions include authoring key sections of the UK's AI Regulation White Paper, leading the White Paper consultation process engaging over 400 stakeholders, and developing policy for the landmark AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park. She subsequently led work on the UK's frontier AI regulatory framework, including proposals on AI liability.  

Currently, Gabi serves as Head of AI Regulation, Policy and Projects at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), where she leads a team developing the national oversight framework for AI as a Medical Device. As part of her role, Gabi leads the secretariat function that supports the National Commission into the Regulation of AI in Healthcare.   

Gabi is a Visiting Professor in AI Law and Regulation at King's College London School of Law and a guest lecturer at various leading universities. She is a lawyer and certified translator with a Master of Laws (LLM) in IP & IT Law from King's College London, where she specialized in artificial intelligence.  

Biography

Sarah Davies became House of Commons Clerk Assistant and Managing Director of the Chamber and Committees Team in April 2019, and following an internal restructure is now MD of the Chamber and Participation Team (CPT). CPT has an annual budget of £40m and around 500 staff, who support Chamber-facing functions including the procedural offices, Hansard, broadcasting and the Serjeant at Arms, alongside Participation teams including visitor and education services.    

Sarah has worked in the House Service since 1993. She is a serving Table Clerk and the House's second most senior procedural adviser. She has worked in all three procedural offices - as Clerk of Private Members' Bills, Clerk of Bill Programming, as a papers clerk in the Journal Office and as Deputy Head of the Table Office between 2014 and 2016. 

Sarah has an MBA from the Open University and has just completed a Masters in Organisational Psychology at Birkbeck. She is a founder member of the Commons Speaker's Steering Group on AI in Parliaments. Sarah also leads at Commons Executive Board level on policy related to the parliamentary Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS).  

Biography

Mike is Deputy Director for DWP’s Central Analysis and Science Division, and DWP’s Deputy Chief Scientific Adviser.  He overseas DWP’s social research programme, analytical data-sharing, DWP’s Employment Data Lab and the establishment of a Labour Market What Works Centre.  Mike has been a member of the Government Statistical service for nearly 20 years and spent time as Chief Statistician in DWP and in the Department for Education.  Mike has worked in a range of policy and analytical roles across government. 

Biography

Dr. Amanda Svensson leads a multidisciplinary team of researchers,   AI   and innovation specialists in the Cabinet Office for the Government Communications profession. In her role, and previously as the Chief Data Scientist, she has spearheaded responsible innovation and ethical use of AI,   data   and technology within public sector communications. She has led the development and delivery of the Government Communications Innovating with Impact Strategy, generative AI policy, and the award-winning generative AI tool Assist for government communications.  
 
Amanda holds a Ph.D. in Biophysics, with a specialisation in neuroscience, where she studied the statistics and neural basis of behaviours. Originally from Sweden, she spent time during her research career in Spain and a short stint in Canada, before settling in the UK and joining the Cabinet Office and No10 in 2016. Amanda is particularly passionate about using AI and technology for the public good, bringing modern and innovative practices to government for improved productivity and public services.

Biography

Clara leads efforts to scale responsible AI use in local government at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), with a focus on critical frontline services. She has a background in public sector innovation, digital   delivery   and data-driven decision-making, including as Deputy Director for the Government Digital Service's flagship Digital Service Platforms (e.g. GOV.UK Pay, GOV.UK Notify), and for the Deputy Prime Minister's Data Unit in MHCLG. Prior to this, Clara spent a decade in international development working for the World Bank and the UK government to design and deliver transparent,   accountable   and inclusive governance reforms. Today, her interests lie in the intersection of technology,   policy   and delivery, helping drive impactful user-centred public services.  

Biography

Kat Sexton is currently serving as the Deputy Director for AI in Local Government at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). She has a strong background in service design, product   management   and digital transformation, having previously held digital leadership roles in local government organisations and higher education. Kat has been instrumental in launching the Birmingham Foundry, an initiative aimed at delivering positive digital outcomes and sustainable change for Birmingham City Council.  

Biography

Tom is a strategy leader in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), with   particular experience   across life sciences, AI, online   safety   and EU affairs. He served as Principal Private Secretary to the DSIT Secretary of State in successive governments, and as Deputy Director in the Office for Life Sciences, where he delivered ground-breaking R&D investment partnerships. Tom has also worked extensively in the centre of Government, leading policy on digital, data and AI in No10 Downing Street, and playing   a central role   in the Cabinet Office COVID-19 Taskforce. He previously   represented   the UK in Brussels on Intellectual Property issues, negotiating key EU directives. Tom holds a   Masters in Chemistry   from Oxford   University, and   was a science teacher before joining the civil service.  

Biography

Douglas Benedict is the Deputy Director of International Affairs in the Cabinet Office, leading on strategy and cross-government coordination of UK national security policy through the National Security Council, and advising the Prime Minister and National Security Adviser on a range of international topics. He has previously served in senior diplomatic policy and leadership roles in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and on overseas postings as Minister Counsellor in Nairobi, as a UK negotiator on the UN Security Council in New York and at the British Embassy in Kabul. He has also held cross-government roles, including serving as Principal Private Secretary (Chief of Staff) to two UK National Security Advisers. Alongside these positions he has led several Government technology programmes and is currently a Cabinet Office 'AI Ambassador' working to support and drive AI adoption and delivery in the UK Civil Service.  

Biography

Simon is currently the Deputy Director of Business Strategy Design and Delivery in the Department for Work and Pensions. His team sets, and supports the organisation to deliver towards, an ambitious future vision for the Department that ensures that its services meet the evolving needs of millions of customers, improving their experience and outcomes. Prior, he had roles in a range of policy and strategy roles across multiple government departments and their agencies, as well as recent experience in an AI consultancy.  

Biography

Sandra’s career has been as a Government Statistician in various departments.  She is an experienced statistical leader with   a track record   for working across teams, government   departments   and international bodies to influence and lead data and statistics developments.  As Chief Statistician and Head of Profession in the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) she has oversight of all the department’s statistical products, the governance and use of statistics across the department and responsibility for the statisticians in MHCLG.  

Biography

Alan Searl is a British diplomat specialising in international co‑operation on technology, energy, and sustainable growth. He currently leads the UK Foreign Office’s engagement with the world’s most advanced technology nations and networks, working with colleagues across the globe to develop   new approaches   for harnessing emerging technologies to drive productivity and strengthen security. His   previous   roles span strategy and programme leadership at the International Energy Agency—supporting member countries in their engagement with China on the global energy transition—as well as developing national‑level energy transition and tertiary skills programmes for the UK government. Alan has also worked closely with Chinese policymakers on sustainable urbanisation and industrialisation. He brings deep programme management and team leadership experience, an entrepreneurial approach to problem‑solving, and strong cross‑cultural capability underpinned by fluent Mandarin.  

Biography

Tom is a seasoned data leader with over 30 years of experience spanning the private sector and public health. He has developed enterprise data strategies, implemented robust data governance frameworks, and led large-scale technical transformations, including data migrations, implementing data warehouses, big data platforms, and compliance initiatives. As Deputy Director Data Engineering & Enablement, Tom delivered data engineering and data management during the Covid 19 Pandemic at NHS Test and Trace and more recently at the UK Health Security Agency. Tom combines strategic vision with deep technical   expertise   and is passionate about   leveraging   AI responsibly to enhance public services and inform policy, contributing his experience to ethical and impactful AI governance through this fellowship.  

Biography

Andrew is a UK diplomat with over 10 years experience across national security. He is currently the Head of the Emerging Technology and Security Cell at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, where he leads a team that focusses on the risks that new technologies, including AI, can pose for international security. Andrew also set-up and led the FCDO’s AI Unit and worked in the National Security Secretariat deploying AI and data science in a range of national security applications. Prior to this Andrew worked in a range of security facing roles including European defence and counter-proliferation.

Biography

Andy Corcoran OBE was appointed as Head of National Security Partnering at the AI Security Institute (formerly the AI Safety Institute) in November 2024. Prior to this he worked on the Bletchley Park AI Safety Summit and a follow up summit in Seoul. He is a career Civil Servant with a professional background spanning defence, foreign policy and national security. 

Biography

Duncan Adams is a public‑sector programme director with two decades’ experience delivering large‑scale change, digital services and regulatory transformation. His background includes major programme leadership, governance, legislation and cross‑government delivery.

Biography

Adam Bye is currently Deputy Director Geopolitics in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.  He has served in a number of diplomatic roles including Deputy High Commissioner to South Africa; Deputy Director covering relations with the US, Canada and Caribbean; and Deputy Head of News and Digital helping oversee the 24 hour press and digital operation. Adam also worked as Deputy Director Digital at the Department of Health.  In 2003 Adam was awarded an OBE for services to British foreign policy.