HFEA announces new Authority members

3 November 2005

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) can announce the appointment of two new Authority members, David Archard and Ruth Fasht, who have been selected by the NHS Appointments Commission along with the reappointment of Sharmila Nebhrajani who will also become the Authority's Deputy Chair.

Professor David Archard has been Professor of Philosophy and Public Policy at Lancaster University since 2003. He has published widely in social, political, legal and applied moral philosophy, specialising in the areas of sexual consent, and children, family and the state. His memberships include the Society for Applied Philosophy and the Nuffield Council on Bioethics Working Party on the Ethics of Prolonging Life in Fetuses and the Newborn.

Ruth Fasht O.B.E is joining the HFEA following a long career in the field of adoption and in child and family support services. She is a qualified social worker, a psychotherapist and has experience at Board level in four national organisations.  She has particular experience in working on a national level with potential adopters and children needing placement and has an understanding of the emotional, social and cultural impact of infertility.

Sharmila Nebhrajani is a finance and business professional with extensive experience across a range of sectors in strategy, mergers & acquisitions and business operations. Most recently she has worked in telecoms with her current role being Chief Operating Officer and Finance Director of the BBC's New Media and Technology business. Sharmila has maintained a keen interest in science since graduating in Physiological Sciences at the University of Oxford in 1988 and has been a lay member of the authority since 1998.

Below are details for each appointee regarding:

• Appointment details and any remuneration payable
• Declared political activity
• Details of Ministerial appointments any remuneration paid

Professor David Archard

Appointment: Non-executive member (Ethics)
Remuneration: £176 daily allowance
Declared political activity in the last five years: None
Other ministerial appointments held:  None

Mrs Ruth Fasht

Appointment: Non-executive member (Psychology or other social science),
Remuneration: £176 daily allowance
Declared political activity in the last five years: None
Other ministerial appointments held: None

Ms Sharmila Nebhrajani

Appointment: Non-executive member (Finance and financial management)
Remuneration: £176 daily allowance
Declared political activity in the last five years: None
Other ministerial appointments held: HFEA (DH): 11/98 ? 11/05, £176 daily allowance, HTA (DH): 4/05 ? to date     TBC

Ends

Notes to editors

All three members will serve a three year term with the Authority.

The HFEA was set up in August 1991 as part of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990.  The HFEA's principal tasks are to license and monitor clinics that carry out in vitro fertilisation (IVF), donor insemination (DI) and human embryo research. The HFEA also regulates the storage of gametes (eggs and sperm) and embryos.