An ex-teacher and local authority technology advisor, Niel now chairs the Learning Foundation which supports children and schools to get the best out of technology. He is also chair of Trustees at the Digital Poverty Alliance which aims to eliminate digital poverty in the UK by 2030.

He leads on BCS’s strategy for the computing curriculum. He managed the university-based Network of Excellence in Computer Science, a government funded program training teachers for the new computing curriculum, developed BCS’s submission to the Treasury leading to the £100 million investment in CPD for computing teachers through the National Centre for Computing Education, and led BCS’s development of certification for teachers.

Elizabeth Anderson, CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance, also known as the Learning Foundation, said: “Niel has been with our charity since its formation in 2001, and we are hugely pleased that his dedication to supporting children to access technology has been recognised in this way. On behalf of our team and partners, I’m delighted to be able to congratulate him on his exceptional contributions to education and his strong commitment to eliminating digital poverty.”