LONDON (March 16, 2022) — Mayank Prakash FBCS has been announced as the new President of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, with a call for governments and businesses to use technology as a force for good.
As BCS’ first President from an Indian ethnic background, Mayank is a keen proponent of exploring the potential offered by technology and making the IT profession inclusive. He was previously recognised as the UK’s most influential IT professional by Computer Weekly and CIO of the year at the UK IT Industry awards.
Mayank said: “The tragic war in Ukraine has shown how tech is essential to tell the truth to the world but also how it can be used as a weapon for disinformation and cyber aggression.
Ask governments to pursue ethical computing
“As the professional body for IT, we ask all governments to pursue ethical computing which respects individual privacy to make technology a force for truthful communication and to solve society’s biggest problems – better health, sustainability, education, safety and quality of life. On behalf of leading technology professionals globally who are members of BCS, I would like to convey my sincerest thoughts and support for people affected by the conflict.”
Gillian Arnold FBCS, a Past Chair of BCS Women and Managing Director of tech recruitment and training company Tectre, will become Deputy President.
Mayank, who has mentored several FTSE 100 CIOs and who is currently Group Chief Operating Officer for Tilney Smith & Williamson added: “It is an honour to become president of the professional body for IT as such a critical time when clinical technology advancements have recently helped mankind combat COVID-19 and to continue the inspirational work my predecessor John Higgins has started to influence the promotion of professional standards.
“I am grateful for the support of John and Gillian as we together focus on BCS helping IT professionals grow their careers, recognizing the contributions of leading technologists, shaping government policy and promoting professional ethical standards which make all digital, data and security technologists proud.”
Mayank was formerly Chief Digital and Information Officer at the Department for Work and Pensions for the UK government. A powerful voice
A Powerful Voice
Rob Deri, interim Chief Executive at BCS said: “Mayank has made an outstanding contribution to information technology at the highest levels across the public and private sector. As President of BCS, supported by Gillian and John, he will give BCS a powerful voice, representing professionals, academia, tech start-ups, businesses pursuing digitalization and governments as we pursue making technology good for society.”
“The thanks of our membership community go to outgoing president John Higgins, whose guidance to the executive team on the key strategic themes has been vital to growing our impact.”
Gillian said: “I look forward to working alongside Mayank to focus on diversifying the profession, supporting member communities and closing the digital divide.”
About Mayank Prakash
Mayank is the Group Chief Operating Officer for Tilney Smith & Williamson, the UK’s largest integrated wealth management and professional services group, and serves on the Board of Uber in UK. He has previously led digital transformation at the UK Government for the UK’s biggest IT and Operations estate scaling digital services for 13 million people, and for FTSE100 and Fortune 500 industry leaders including Centrica, Morgan Stanley and Sage Group. He is a Fellow of BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT and Wharton Business School.
LinkedIn: linkedIn.com/in/ciomayankprakash
About Gillian Arnold
Managing Director of tech recruitment and training company Tectre and a past Chair of the BCSWomen Specialist Group that supports women in the IT industry. In 2015, she was identified as the 9th. Most Influential Women in UK IT 2015, by Computer Weekly. In 2016, Arnold was again identified as one of the 50 most influential women in UK IT 2016 by Computer Weekly.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gillian-arnold-fbcs-86b25b1
