Member Board

• Member Board Short Report - 02 February 2024
• Member Board Short Report - 17 May 2024
• Member Board Short Report - 06 September 2024
• Member Board Short Report - 20 November 2024

• Member Board Short Report - 10 February 2023
• Member Board Short Report - 09 May 2023
• Member Board Short Report - 08 September 2023
• Member Board Short Report - 24 November 2023

• Member Board Short Report - 11 February 2022
• Member Board Short Report - 13 May 2022

• Member Board Short Report - 15 January 2021
• Member Board Short Report - 16 April 2021
• Member Board Short Report - 04 October 2021
• Member Board Short Report - 03 December 2021

• Member Board Short Report - 17 July 2020
• Member Board Short Report - 30 October 2020

Professor Carol McGuinness is Professor Emerita at Queen's University Belfast. She is a Chartered Psychologist, member of the Division of Academics, Researchers and Teachers in Psychology, the Cognitive Section, and the Northern Ireland Branch.

She graduated from University College Dublin with a 1st class honours BA psychology degree in 1972, and an MA in 1974. She received her PhD from Queen's in 1979, where she has worked for most of her professional life, teaching and researching. She has been a passionate advocate for teaching psychology, both locally in Northern Ireland and UK wide, and was awarded a National Teaching Fellow in 2000 (the first year the fellowships were awarded).

With a background in cognitive psychology, Carol's research has a strong educational focus. Her work on designing interventions to enhance children's classroom learning and evaluating early years interventions has a sharp policy/impact focus, being influential in several educational systems, as well as specifically informing changes to statutory curriculum requirements in Northern Ireland.

Carol has been an active member of the BPS since she was a postgraduate and has worked with many different membership networks and working groups. For example, she was Chair of the Special Group for the Teaching of Psychology in the 1990s and Vice Chair of the Division of Teachers and Researchers in Psychology (now DARTP). She chaired the BPS Working Party on A-level Psychology (2003), edited Psychology Teaching Review (1999-2004), and was an elected ordinary member of the Psychology Education and Public Engagement Board for two years in 2012.

More recently she has been Chair of the Northern Ireland Branch of the BPS (2010-2016) where she worked closely with the leads of local BPS divisions to influence public policy. She continues to act as policy co-ordinator on the NIBPS committee. 

Carol first became a Trustee for the Society in 2017 when she was appointed as Chair of the Education and Public Engagement Board.  She stepped down when that Board was discontinued.

In 2020 she was appointed as Chair of the newly created Member Board.

Christina Buxton CPsychol AFBPsS is a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the BPS, a Chartered Scientist, and a member of the Division of Teachers and Researchers in Psychology, the Division of Occupational Psychology, and the Division of Counselling Psychology.

Christina is also senior practitioner member of the BPS Register of Psychologists Specialising in Psychotherapy, and on the BPS Register of Applied Psychology Practice Supervisors. In addition she is a registered psychotherapist with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), a member of EMDR UK and Ireland, and an accredited member of Emotional Freedom Technique international (EFTi).  

Christina is the past chair and treasurer of the BPS Crisis, Disaster and Trauma Section, a member of the BPS Research Board and the Representative Council. Christina is a member of the BPS Psychological Testing Centre (PTC) and is on the Register of Qualifications in Test Use (RQTU). She is a member of the PTC Committee on Test Standards (CTS) and a member of the CTS Health and Social Care Contexts Working Group.

Cheryl, AFBPsS, is a Psychological Therapist/Supervisor and Accredited Cognitive Behaviour Therapist(CBT) with the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP), a member of EMDR UK and the Employee Assistance Professionals Association.

With over 28 years of experience across the NHS, MoD, charities, and universities. Cheryl is now an Independent Practitioner and an active volunteer in her community.

Throughout her career, Cheryl has been a dedicated member of the British Psychological Society (BPS), serving in several divisions (e.g., DCP, DCoP) and branches (e.g., Wales, South West England).

Most notably, she held Public Relations and Communications Lead roles with the Welsh Nation and South West Division of Clinical Psychology, enhancing the visibility and impact of psychology. Her extensive involvement has deepened her commitment to improving how the BPS supports its communities, with a focus on fostering collaboration across divisions and branches.

Recognising the rapid growth of psychology professions in the past decade, Cheryl is passionate about ensuring that the BPS better serves this expansion, as part of the Member journey initiative, for those who hold psychology at the heart of what they do and who they are, by being someone on the panel who embodies part of this expedition.

Since joining the Member Board, at its investiture on 17th July 2020, she has been dedicated to amplifying the voices of professionals who hold psychology at the core of their work, particularly those in the wider psychological workforce, helping to shape a more inclusive and supportive future for the society and its members.

Dr Hazel Bending CPsychol SFHEA ASBPsS is a Chartered Psychologist, Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society.

She is a member of the Division of Academics, Researchers and Teachers in Psychology (DARTP) and has previously had a committee role for the BPS SouthWest Branch.

Hazel is a senior lecturer at Plymouth Marjon University, with a teaching focus. She has worked in the university sector for over 20 years, and gained Chartership through the teaching route.

Her teaching focusses on qualitative methods, neuropsychology and mental health, community psychology and conceptual/historical issues in psychology. She is the programme lead for the University undergraduate and post graduate programmes in psychology.

Hazel's research interests include authentic assessment, identity, student experience, wellbeing and disability.

She is currently leading on an international research project addressing student volunteering.

She is also currently supervising PhD students on projects relating to wellbeing, mental health, disability and structural violence.

Dr James Barr, CPsychol, AFBPS is an HCPC registered Occupational Psychologist working independently.

He has been a member of the London & Home Counties Branch since 2014, was Chair 2017-2019 and is currently Honorary Treasurer. He was Chair of the Branch Forum 2018-19.

Earlier in his career he worked as a senior consultant at SHL, research manager at YSC, project manager applying artificial intelligence at British Airways, business analyst at Cisco Systems and as an AI software developer at Prudential Assurance. 

He has a D.Phil in Experimental Psychology from Oxford University, an MBA from Lancaster University and a BSc in Experimental Psychology from Sussex University.

A Psychological Practitioner who is deeply passionate about mental health.

Hi, I'm Dan, an educational psychologist and professional tutor on the doctoral EP training course at the University of Bristol.

I founded and run edpsy.org.uk and online magazine for anyone interested in education and psychology. My professional interests currently centre on communication and dissemination, and climate breakdown, children and psychology.

Central to lots of my work is making psychology more accessible to, and for, those we work with.

I have a strong interest in how we translate insights from psychological research and practice to influence policy and policymakers. There is often a strong desire to understand more about what psychology has to say about a variety of issues, but it can be the case that our messages and how we deliver them are not always the most engaging or accessible.

Prior to training as a psychologist I worked as a marketing and training manager for an international home audio company, and have also worked in sales and marketing for some of the biggest tech brands in the world.

I've been a member of the BPS since my undergraduate degree, and have always seen it as my 'natural home' as a psychologist. Looking ahead to my work on the member board, I am particularly interested in:

• Reducing the 'divide' between 'divisions' and responding to members' desire to collaborate across traditional boundaries
• Considering how the society maintains and protects the huge number of passionate volunteers that work to make the society what it is
• Thinking about how we engage members through a variety of channels

Mia Pal is a doctoral researcher in psychological criminology and security, specializing in early psychological prevention programs in schools and advocating for policy changes in the domestic abuse sector. Her research not only focuses on the prevention of psychological abuse but also on the broader implications of security within communities, aiming to create safer environments through informed psychological practices. Mia is particularly passionate about the role psychology can play in contributing to policy changes, especially with the government's renewed focus on stopping violence against women and girls.

With a background in psychology and criminology, Mia has dedicated her career to supporting victims of psychological abuse and emotional trauma and she is a strong advocate for the belief that psychological education is vital in empowering individuals, particularly the young ones to understand and take a firm stance against abuse and psychological violence.  She has worked closely with various support groups, organizations, and individuals to help break the cycle of abuse and restore autonomy to survivors.

Since joining the British Psychological Society (BPS) in 2019, Mia has taken on various leadership roles, including Chair of the North- West Branch in 2020. In this role, she has developed and implemented impactful programs such as My Super Mind programme, aimed at inspiring young people like A-level students to explore the values and applications of psychology and careers in psychology in the wider world.

Mia is also leading a pilot program called LIFE (Leadership Inspiration for Excellence), developed in collaboration with the BPS Branches and the Special Group of Independent Practitioners. This initiative supports newly appointed chairs and aspiring leaders within the member networks, promoting confidence and empowerment in leadership roles, a key to fostering a lasting legacy within the BPS.

In addition to her work within the BPS, Mia is an active member of the British Society of Criminology and the European Society of Criminology, contributing to victimology research groups and presenting her findings on national and international platforms.

Anne-Marie Rowson is a business and coaching psychologist with over 30 year's experience gained in consultancy and complex corporate organisations.

She studied at Liverpool University and Birkbeck College, University of London and following a career that saw her work with many different organisations around the world, she is now settled in Somerset and works independently as an Executive Leadership Coach.

She is currently co-chair of the BPS South West of England Branch and is particularly keen to contribute to support those wishing to enter the psychology profession. 

Anne-Marie is also passionate about raising the profile of the psychology profession and in a world that seems to be at the mercy of over-marketed fads and fantasy, she is passionate about challenging the 'psychological' myths that are marketed to organisations and promoting evidence based practice. 

Tess Hilson-Greener brings over 30 years of experience in HR leadership, specialising in the integration of cutting-edge AI technologies to enhance employee engagement, workforce planning, and cultural development.

Tess is the founder of AI Capability, an advisory firm dedicated to helping HR professionals navigate the digital transformation landscape. Her work empowers organisations to embrace AI-driven solutions that align with strategic goals while elevating the human experience in the workplace.

Tess is also the author of HR2035, an upcoming book that explores the future of HR in an AI-driven world and provides a roadmap for implementing innovative, ethical, and sustainable practices. She is a sought-after speaker and consultant, having delivered workshops and keynote addresses on the transformative impact of AI across the employee journey.

As a member of the British Psychological Society Member Board, Tess is passionate about contributing her expertise in technology, ethics, and workforce development to help members navigate the rapidly changing world of work. She is committed to fostering meaningful dialogue and collaboration, ensuring the Society's resources and initiatives remain relevant and impactful in an increasingly digital landscape.

Her extensive experience equips her to support members in addressing contemporary challenges such as workforce resilience, ethical decision-making, and future skills development. Tess aims to empower members to apply psychological insights effectively, shape forward-thinking workplace practices, and continue advancing the discipline of psychology in the context of organisational change.

The Task and Finish Group was formed in spring 2021 and completed its work in early 2022.

The group was convened by Member Board with the purpose of reviewing the society's Member Conduct Rules and other complaints and appeals processes, and to draft new versions for approval by the Board of Trustees.

The group considered how the new Rules should reflect the changing nature of the psychology and the membership, and the relationship with the HCPC and with other professional bodies.

The new Member Conduct Rules were implemented from January 2022, with updates added by the Trustees in June 2022. Associated codes of conduct, and the society's complaints and appeals policies have also been revised and implemented.

Group Members

• Cheryl Jones (Chair), member of Member Board
• Dr Roger Paxton, former Chair of Ethics Committee
• Professor Tony Lavender, member of Practice Board
• James McTaggart, member of Practice Board
• Dr James Millington, member with experience of investigations
• Dr Rachel Scudamore, Head of QA & Standards at the BPS
• David Mears, Senior Legal Adviser at the BPS
• Kajal Panchal, Standards & Inclusivity Officer at the BPS

A Task and Finish group of Member Board members was convened in Autumn 2020 to review the current grade structure and propose an alternative.

The Member Board approved a proposal for consideration by the Board of Trustees that included a new grades structure accompanied by a set of underpinning principles and examples of how member personas would fit into the new grades structure.

In December 2020, the Board of Trustees approved the proposed new grades structure, incorporating a number of key changes, for consultation with the membership. 

Group Members

• Prof. Carol McGuinness (chair), Chair of Member Board
• Cheryl Jones, member of Member Board
• Christina Buxton, member of Member Board
• Faith Martin, member of Member Board
• Stephen Leadbeater, member of Member Board
• Andrew Christer, Membership and Customer Services Team leader at the BPS
• Karen Beamish, Director of Membership, Professional Development, Delivery and Standards at the BPS
• Dr Rachel Scudamore, Head of QA & Standards at the BPS
• Dan O'Keefe, Head of Membership and Customer Services at the BPS

Group Members

• Prof. Carol McGuinness, Chair of Member Board
• Cheryl Jones, member of Member Board
• Hazel Bending, member of Member Board
• Chetan Trivedi, Head of HR and Organisational Development at the BPS

MSSG is tasked with preparing a BPS Mentoring Service infrastructure to support the numerous focused mentoring schemes that our members are already running or seeking to develop.

The project will establish the governance, administrative procedures, and guidance materials for the Service, and develop support for the leaders, participants and processes of the constituent schemes.

Currently we are looking to launch the service with our pilot schemes in autumn 2022.

Group Members

• Hazel Bending (Member Board and DARTP)
• Phil Cox (Psychotherapy section & DCoP)
• Dawn Gosden (DOP & DoCP)           
• Tia Moin (DoCP)
• Andrew Parsons (DCoP)
• Amra Rao (DCP)
• Patrick Roycroft (DCP)
• Neil Baker / Helen Cockle, Diversity and Inclusion at the BPS
• James Goodwin, Careers Manager at the BPS
• Rachel Scudamore, Head of QA & Standards at the BPS
• Vicki Smith, Workstream Project Manager at the BPS
• Claire Tilley, Head of Workforce Development, Education and Training at the BPS

In July 2022, Privy Council approved changes to the Royal Charter and Statutes to create a new grade of Full Member to meet the needs of those members who have held Graduate status for a long time and whose further development deserves recognition.

A Task and Finish group of Member Board was convened in Autumn 2022 to develop an inclusive process for the evaluation of applications through Statute 6(2)c - the portfolio route to Full Member status - and to prepare full guidance on application for the grade of Full Member.

The group completed its work on the submission requirements and assessment criteria in May 2023, with the launch of the portfolio route scheduled for autumn 2023.

Group Members:

• Dr Dawn Branley-Bell, Chair of Cyberpsychology Section
• Angela Collins, Graduate Member
• Dr Chris Fullwood, Cyberpsychology Section
• Cheryl Jones, Member Board
• Dr Linda Kaye, Cyberpsychology Section
• Dr Sarah Knight FBPsS, Chartered Member
• Stephen Leadbeater, Member Board
• Gabriella Mitchell, Defence and Security Psychology Section committee member
• Dr Rachel Scudamore, Head of QA & Standards, BPS
• Dr Sarah Smith FBPsS, Chartered Member

In July 2022, an AGM of members approved changes to the Society Rules to revise the criteria for the award of Associate Fellow and Fellow of the Society.

A Task and Finish group of Member Board was convened in Autumn 2022 to develop an inclusive process for the evaluation of applications for the awards.

The group completed its work on the submission requirements and evaluation criteria in May 2023, with the launch of the portfolio route scheduled for autumn 2023.

Group Members:

• Christina Buxton, Trustee and member of Member Board
• Andrew Christer, Customer Service Team Leader, BPS
• Julia Faulconbridge, Elected Trustee
• Jaunita Hopper, EDI Lead – Policy and Practice
• Cheryl Jones, Member Board
• Stephen Leadbeater, Member Board
• Kajal Panchal, Standards and Inclusivity Officer, BPS
• Dr Rachel Scudamore, Head of QA & Standards, BPS

Following the review of the Member Conduct Rules, Member Board sought to update the social media guidance to bring the document up to date and to augment the currently practice-focussed advice.

The Board convened a Task and Finish group in August 2022 to benchmark against relevant organisations and to create a revised version of the guidance for comment by all Strategic boards and Ethics Committee.

Member Board approved the revised Social Media guidance in May 2023, and they are currently being prepared for publication on the website.

Group Members:

• Christina Buxton, Trustee and member of Member Board
• Dr Chris Fullwood, Cyberpsychology Section
• Julia Faulconbridge, Elected Trustee
• Social Media and Online Communities Manager, BPS
• Dr Adam Jowett, Chair of EDI Board
• Dr Linda Kaye, Cyberpsychology Section
• Dr Dan O'Hare, Member Board
• Dr Rachel Scudamore, Head of QA & Standards, BPS