The BBFC is pleased to announce that David Gajadharsingh, Alan Hardie, Joanna Jepson, Anne Longfield and Dr Shirley Woods-Gallagher have been named as the newest members of the BBFC’s Advisory Panel on Children’s Viewing.

Five new members have been appointed to the BBFC’s Advisory Panel on Children’s Viewing (APCV).

Established in 1999, the APCV advises the BBFC on issues concerning the interests of children and young people. Its members provide a wide range of skills and expertise connected with child welfare and development, and contribute to the development of BBFC policy.

The new members are David Gajadharsingh, Alan Hardie, Joanna Jepson, Anne Longfield and Dr Shirley Woods-Gallagher.

• David Gajadharsingh is a career teacher of over 30 years’ experience. He has held senior leadership roles in both the maintained and independent sectors, and is currently Head Teacher (Academic & Pastoral Principal) at The Royal Ballet School, London.
  
  
• Alan Hardie has over 30 years of diverse experience in teaching, from primary to postgraduate level. He currently holds the position of Chief Executive Officer at Northumberland Church of England Academy Trust.
  
  
• Joanna Jepson is an author, broadcaster, coach and Anglican priest currently serving as Chaplain to The Royal Wessex Yeomanry and the Army Training Regiment, Winchester.
  
  
• Anne Longfield has spent the last three decades working to improve the life chances of children, particularly the most vulnerable. From March 2015 to February 2021, she was Children’s Commissioner for England. She previously led a national children’s charity and has also worked on the delivery of the Sure Start programme in the Cabinet Office.
  
  
• Dr Shirley Woods-Gallagher is the Assistant Director for commissioning services for children and young people in Greater Manchester. She is a member of the Early Intervention Foundations Ethics Committee. She leads on the investable proposition work for early years for Devo Manc and is the former Special Advisor for School Readiness for GM Mayor Andy Burnham.

The five new members join incumbent panellists Reg Bailey, Catherine Doran, James Lockwood, Catherine McAllister, Dr Helen Molden, Dr Linda Papadopoulos and Louise Robinson.

Patrick Swaffer, President of the BBFC, said: “I am delighted to have such a talented group of people joining the BBFC’s Advisory Panel on Children’s Viewing. David, Alan, Joanna, Anne and Shirley will each bring unique insight and expertise to Panel meetings, and play an invaluable role in helping inform the BBFC’s work to support families and protect children. I am looking forward to the new Panel’s first meeting in November, and to working closely with this exceptional group for many years to come.”

The BBFC is grateful to Nurole for their help and support during the recruitment process.