New look for the ASC leadership team
ASC is revitalising its leadership team. Several changes agreed by the ASC’s board of directors last month will see an expanded board, two new director appointments, and a renewed mission to serve all parts of the community. Here is a summary of the changes and the people behind them.
Andrew Le Breuilly will take on the role of Co-Chair of the ASC, having served as a Director since July 2024 and previously as a committee member. He leads the consultancy Arrowstream and is Chief Product Officer at start-up Purify Intelligence. Many members will know him as the facilitator of ASC Labs, the ongoing series of informal, mostly online technical events he launched two years ago.
Andrew will also co-chair the ASC’s May conference, Fit for Change: Thriving in an Evolving Research Landscape, taking place in London on 21 May, a theme closely aligned with his focus on technology and change.
Andrew Le Breuilly is becoming co-chair while Rebecca Cole moves to being Treasurer
Andrew will take over as co-chair from Rebecca Cole, who is stepping aside after three years in that role. Rebecca was recently elected Chair of MRS, one of the world’s most important research professional associations and trade bodies and a major ally and collaborator with ASC. Rebecca’s appointment at MRS is a remarkable achievement for someone from the research technology and data side of the industry and one celebrated by everyone on ASC’s committee.
Yet despite this major commitment, Rebecca is keen to continue playing a significant role in ASC’s leadership and will be taking on the role of Treasurer from Peter Wills. Tim Macer has agreed to carry on as ASC’s other co-chair, meaning that Rebecca and Tim will provide continuity as ASC continues to broaden the range of its activities in its renewed mission to be a welcoming place for all parts of our community.
Katie O´Connor and Niall Smith become Directors
Katie O’Connor and Niall Smith have agreed to take on the responsibilities of company directors, increasing ASC’s board to nine directors and helping to ensure ASC’s future as an independent body representative of and answerable to its community.
Katie and Niall both joined the ASC committee two years ago and have already made significant impact through their involvement in our conferences. More recently, Niall has also taken the lead on Data Points (where you are reading this article), while Katie is working on establishing our growing thought leadership writers’ group under the banner Viewpoints.
Pete Wills steps down after 34 years of service to ASC
Peter Wills will be winding down his involvement in ASC after an exceptional period of service. Pete has been involved with ASC as a member of its organising committee since it first came into being 1992, and chaired ASC for 13 years between 2008 and 2022. Happily it won’t be farewell to Pete quite yet, as he has agreed to serving as Assistant Treasurer for the next year.
Andrew Le Breuilly, ASC’s Co-chair designate commented: “ASC is a community where you feel you are among your people and, as a slightly nerdy survey geek, it has quietly shaped how I think and work. ASC has a rich history, yet our industry is rapidly changing. As co-chair, I want to honour where we have come from while helping our community stay confident and ready for what is ahead.”
Rebecca Cole said: “I’ve been on the ASC committee for over 15 years – it’s where my tribe is, and I honestly cannot imagine a professional life without being involved in it. Katie and Niall have been fantastic additions to the committee, and I’m thrilled to have them on board as directors. Andrew’s enthusiasm, ideas and dedication mean that he will be a fantastic co-chair, and I cannot wait to be part of ASC’s future under Andrew and Tim.”