Secretariat
The Secretariat is the executive arm of the Council.
The Secretariat organises workshops, Working Parties and meetings of the Council, and assists with drafting the Council's publications. The senior staff brief the Council on the progress of its work programme, provide advice on future topics and represent the Council at professional and public meetings.
Download a register of interests for senior staff.
Hugh Whittall - Director
Katharine Wright - Assistant Director
Dr Peter Mills - Assistant Director
Emily Postan - Project Leader
Carol Perkins - PA to the Director and Secretariat Administrator
Catherine Joynson - Programme Manager
Sarah Walker-Robson - Communications Manager
Ranveig Svenning Berg - Communications Officer
Kate Harvey - Research Officer
Tom Finnegan - Research Officer
Rosie Beauchamp - Research Officer
Johanna White - Office and Communications Administrator
Hugh Whittall
Director
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Hugh oversees all areas of the Council’s work and contributes to its long-term strategy. Before taking the role of Director in February 2007, he held senior positions at the Department of Health, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, and the European Commission.
Katharine Wright
Assistant Director
Katharine is part of the senior management team, organises Working Parties and other activities, and represents the Council to the public and professional bodies. Before joining the Secretariat in May 2007, she worked on health law and ethics in the NHS, the Department of Health and the House of Commons.
Dr Peter Mills
Assistant Director
Pete is part of the senior management team, organises Working Parties and other activities, and represents the Council to the public and professional bodies. Before joining the Secretariat in March 2011, he worked on scientific development and bioethics at the Department of Health, where he led the Human Genetics Commission secretariat, and on assisted reproduction and embryo research policy for the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.
Emily Postan
Project Leader, Novel Neurotechnologies
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Emily joined the Secretariat in July 2012 to manage the Council’s project on novel neurotechnologies that intervene in the brain. Prior to this she worked for the Scottish Government in a variety of policy fields. Emily has a background in philosophy, law and policy management and she is currently undertaking a PhD at Edinburgh University, researching the governance of personal biological information in light of its role in self-definition.
Carol Perkins
PA to the Director and Secretariat Administrator
Carol supports the Director in planning the Council’s work programme and is responsible for the administration of the Council’s day-to-day operations. Prior to joining the secretariat in April 2005, she held roles in bioethics at the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and the Department of Health.
Catherine Joynson
Programme Manager
From 2013 Catherine will be managing a new programme of activities for the Council which aim to engage wider and more diverse audiences, as set out in the objectives of its Strategic Plan. Catherine joined the Council in 2005 as its Communications Manager and prior to this was Science Policy Advisor at the Institute of Biology.
Sarah Walker-Robson
Communications Manager
Sarah joined the Secretariat in November 2008 to work on external affairs activities with the aim of raising awareness and promoting discussion of the Council’s work. Prior to this she worked in development at the Royal Institution of Great Britain. Sarah has a Masters Degree in Science, Culture and Communication from the University of Bath.
Ranveig Svenning Berg
Communications Officer
Ranveig joined the Secretariat in May 2012 to support external affairs activities with the aim of raising awareness and promoting discussion of the Council’s work. Prior to this she managed communications at the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA). Ranveig has a BA in Development Studies and International Relations from London Metropolitan University.
Kate Harvey
Research Officer
Kate undertakes research to support the Council’s work and contributes to the drafting of reports. She also monitors developments in areas of interest to the Council. Prior to joining the Secretariat, Kate completed an MA in Medical Ethics and Law at King’s College London.
Tom Finnegan
Research Officer
Tom undertakes research to support the Council’s work and contributes to the drafting of reports. He also monitors developments in areas of interest to the Council. Tom has a Masters Degree in biotechnological law and ethics from Sheffield University.
Rosie Beauchamp
Research Officer
Rosie undertakes research to support the Council’s work and contributes to the drafting of reports. She also monitors developments in areas of interest to the Council. Prior to joining the Secretariat, Rosie worked in health policy and has completed an MSc in Biomedicine, Bioscience and Society at the London School of Economics.
Johanna White
Office and Communications Administrator
Johanna joined the Secretariat in October 2011 to assist with the Council's day-to-day administration and external affairs activities. She completed a BA in Politics at the University of Nottingham and is currently studying towards a Graduate Diploma in Law at the College of Law.
