New HFEA Authority member announced

Anita Bharucha will join governing body of the UK’s dedicated fertility regulator on 1 April 2015. A management consultant, Anita will serve as a lay member, bringing to the table her 18 years’ experience as a civil servant working in the Home Office, Cabinet Office, Northern Ireland Office and as a Director in the Ministry of Justice. She also has personal experience of unsuccessful IVF.

Anita replaces departing Authority member Gemma Hobcraft, whose position as deputy Chair will be taken up by existing Authority member Professor David Archard. Jane Diblin and Debbie Barber's terms as Authority members have also come to an end.

HFEA Chair, Sally Cheshire, warmly welcomed Anita into the role:

“Anita stood out during the selection process as the kind of lay member the HFEA needs: straightforward, dynamic and clear thinking. I’m sure she will prove to be a great addition to the team and I look forward to working with her in times to come.

“I also want to thank Gemma, Debbie and Jane very much for all the time and hard work they have given us during their tenure. We all benefited from their insight and experience, and they will be missed.”

In addition to her professional career, Anita is also a trustee of Adoption UK and a member of the Police and National Crime Agency Remuneration Review Bodies.

All appointments to the Authority are made by the Minister for Public Health, and last for a period of three years.