External Advisory Board

The School of Computer Science’s External Advisory Board comprises a respected group of industry, academia, and public sector leaders, including former Leeds alumni. Each member brings expertise and insight to our School, reflecting their experience as influential figures in their respective fields.

Rashik Parmar MBE

Rashik Parmar MBE is a Digital Leader and Non-Executive Director and formerly Group Chief Executive of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT. He champions professional membership, digital skills, and thought leadership in emerging technologies such as generative AI and quantum computing. Formerly IBM’s VP of Technology for Europe, he led major digital transformation strategies.

Rashik is a Fellow of IBM and BCS and received an MBE for services to business and innovation. He holds advisory and governance roles at The Open University, UKRI, and Digit Lab, and serves on the Research Industry Advisory Board at Leeds University Business School. He is also a founding Director of global digital broadcaster Rangoli Radio.

Alex Hayes-Griffin

Alex Hayes-Griffin is a former investment banking managing director turned strategic growth adviser, venture capital investor, certified coach, and expert in AI and blockchain technologies, and is passionate about helping leaders unlock their full potential.  

With 25 years’ experience in capital markets and mergers and acquisitions across EMEA, Asia-Pacific, and North America, Alex has advised large-cap C-suite clients through multiple financial cycles. Today, he draws on his expertise to act as a trusted adviser to businesses and individuals navigating the innovation made possible by exponentially advancing technology. 

Dr Hannah Dee MBE

Hannah Dee is a Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at Aberystwyth University, specialising in data science, databases, and information security. A passionate advocate for women in tech, she is a leading figure in BCSWomen and founded the BCSWomen Lovelace Colloquium, a national conference for undergraduate women in computing.  

Hannah was inducted into the Computer Weekly Women in IT Hall of Fame and awarded a Suffrage Science award in 2018. She was then awarded an MBE in 2024 for services to technology and women in IT. She actively promotes STEM education, engaging young people through national and international outreach, including robotics and coding initiatives. 

Fouzhan Hosseini

Fouzhan Hosseini is an experienced HPC Solution Architect with over 14 years of experience in public and private sectors. She is a trusted technical advisor at Intel, supporting partners in designing and implementing HPC and AI solutions while guiding internal stakeholders on strategy and execution.  

Fouzhan combines deep technical expertise with strong leadership and communication skills, enabling her to collaborate effectively across diverse teams and drive impactful business outcomes. With a background in performance optimisation, technical management, and R&D, she shares her passion through training and mentorship. Fouzhan is a committed advocate for diversity, inclusion, and conscious leadership in tech.

Phil Benson

Phil Benson is an award-winning entrepreneur, technology advocate, board advisor, and speaker. Phil has played a key role in assisting economic regeneration initiatives, culture development, and advising start-ups and organisations in both the tech and general business ecosystem. He has operated on several boards within the public, charitable and private sectors.

Phil is the Co-Founder and the current General Manager of UK Black Tech. This organisation supports and facilitates the continued growth of diverse innovators, tech innovation, and research across the UK.

Richard Corbridge

Richard Corbridge is Chief Information Officer at SEGRO, leading digital, data, and transformation initiatives. Previously Director General for Digital at the UK Department for Work and Pensions, he oversaw nationwide technology and data, introduced government Innovation Pitch sessions, and led early adoption of Generative AI. With over 25 years in CIO roles across healthcare, retail, research, and the built environment, he is recognised globally for digital leadership.

He was instrumental in reforming Ireland’s healthcare technology systems, earning him the O’Moore Medal. Richard is regularly named among the UK’s top CIOs, and Computing magazine named him the UK’s most influential Chief Data Officer in 2025. He also lectures internationally on digital transformation.

Christopher Mbah

Christopher Mbah is a Senior Engineering Manager at Keyloop, a global automotive SaaS platform, where he directs two Agile Release Trains across more than seven distributed squads and is known for turning complex programmes into predictable, high-performing delivery. He leads an enterprise programme on the responsible adoption of AI in engineering, and has delivered large-scale AWS cloud migrations and IT modernisation.

Formerly a technology consultant at PwC, Christopher has delivered for clients across insurance, banking and financial services, automotive OEMs, and public and private institutions. He held combined engineering and product leadership at enquiryMAX, a SaaS startup later acquired by Keyloop. A University of Leeds alumnus, he completed his MSc with Distinction as a Commonwealth Scholar and first graduated top of his department with First Class honours. He founded a technology incubator supporting young people into the sector, and brings a current perspective on graduate employability and curriculum alignment.