MEET THE TEAM
The Foundation's activities are delivered by a small professional team, based in the Foundation's offices in Greencoat Place, London.
Dr Alex Rhys OBE - Chief Executive
Alex joined the Foundation in 2026 as Chief Executive. He holds a PhD in Molecular Oncology from Queen Mary University of London and began his career in cancer research before transitioning to healthcare regulation and policy. He has served in senior leadership roles across professional bodies, regulatory organisations, and charities, with expertise in convening diverse stakeholders and influencing policy at the highest levels.
Most recently, Alex served as Chief Executive Officer of the Infection Prevention Society, leading a period of significant transformation including expanding the Society's reach into veterinary infection prevention and building commercial capabilities. He also founded and led It Gets Better UK, growing the charity from a grassroots initiative to reach over 2.5 million LGBTQ+ young people.
Rt Hon. the Lord Willetts FRS - Chair of the Foundation for Science and Technology
The Rt Hon. Lord Willetts FRS was appointed Chair of the Foundation for Science and Technology in December 2018. He is the President of the Resolution Foundation. He served as the Member of Parliament for Havant (1992-2015), as Minister for Universities and Science (2010-2014) and previously worked at HM Treasury and the No. 10 Policy Unit.
Lord Willetts is Chair of the UK Space Agency and a visiting Professor at King’s College, London. He serves on the Biotech Growth Trust and SynBioVen. He is an Honorary Fellow of Nuffield College, Oxford and a member of the Council of the University of Southampton. His book A University Education is published by OUP. A second edition of his book on the Boomers and the young generation The Pinch was published in 2019. His paper The Eight Great Technologies 10 Years on - an Industrial Strategy? Is published by Policy Exchange.
Angela Pusey - Senior PA and Events Manager
Angela joined the Foundation for Science and Technology as Senior PA and Events Manager in September 2014 and is responsible for managing the diary of the Chief Executive, Gavin Costigan and administering the Foundation’s programme of discussion events.
Angela previously worked at two principal academic bodies during her career, at the British Academy for seventeen years from 1996 until 2013 and also at the British Council for twelve years from 1982 to 1994.
Angela has a Master’s degree in Management Practice, Postgraduate Diploma in Personnel Management and a BA Honours degree in Social Sciences.
Lori Frecker - Learned and Professional Societies Liaison Officer
Lori Frecker is the Learned and Professional Societies Liaison Officer. She supports learned and professional societies on governance, legal and regulatory matters, and publishes the Foundation’s quarterly newsletter for those societies.
Prior to joining the Foundation, Lori held senior diversity and inclusion roles at the Royal Society, Judicial Appointments Commission and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She has formerly worked at the Law Society, advising on policy related to conveyancing, anti-money laundering, and planning and environmental law. Lori was also previously part of the Legal Services Act commencement team at the Ministry of Justice, and is a former deputy editor of the Chambers UK legal directory.
Concurrent with her work at the Foundation, Lori is Director of Policy for the Costs Lawyer Standards Board. Outside of work, she is part of the management team of Read Easy Medway, a charity that helps adults who want to learn to read.
Charlotte Raynsford - Communications Manager
Charlotte Raynsford joined the Foundation in January 2024 as Communications Manager. She co-leads on the Foundation's communications strategy, writes and edits the FST Journal. She is responsible for the FST's podcast, social media accounts and blog.
Charlotte has a background in communications and press work for science and policy, previously working with the Zoological Society London (ZSL) and the British Veterinary Association (BVA). She has a degree in journalism and photojournalism and a special interest in ecology and wildlife conservation. She hopes to pursue further study in these fields in the future.
Dr Dougal Goodman OBE FREng - Vice-President
Dr Dougal Goodman OBE FREng, is Vice President of the Foundation. He was previously Chief Executive of The Foundation from 2000 to 2019.
He is a former Deputy Director of the British Antarctic Survey and a general manager for BP where he worked in the Chief Executive’s strategy team, was head of safety for the company, worked on risk management in the Company Secretary’s department, as operations manager for the Magnus oil field and as an offshore production manager, and in research management.
He is a visiting professor at Cranfield University and an Emeritus Fellow at the British Antarctic Survey. He was awarded the OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in 2012 and has the Polar Medal for leading expeditions to the Antarctic and the Arctic.