New appointments to the Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group

Members of BFEG are public appointments recruited to provide independent expert advice to the Home Office on the ethical considerations in the use of biometrics, forensics, machine learning and complex data sets.

The new appointments commenced in June and July 2024 and are agreed for a first term of 3 years, ending in June and July 2027.

The 6 new members are:

• Giles Herdale, Director, Herdale Digital Consulting Ltd
• Dr Matt James, Associate Professor Bioethics and Medical Law
• Professor Penney Lewis, Criminal Law Commissioner
• Ms Elisabeth Mackay, Digital Trust and Cybersecurity Consultant
• Dr Malcolm Oswald, Director, Citizens Juries c.i.c.
• Professor Marion Oswald, Northumbria University, Newcastle and Senior Research Associate, the Alan Turing Institute

Professor Mark Watson-Gandy OBE, Chair of BFEG, said:

I am so delighted that Giles Herdale, Matt James, Professor Penney Lewis, Dr Malcolm Oswald, Elisabeth Mackay and Professor Marion Oswald have agreed to join BFEG. Their appointment will further strengthen and compliment the very considerable expertise on our panel. This is an exciting time for BFEG, whose work addresses some of the most challenging and cutting edge ethical issues today