New members appointed to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority

The new members will play a key role in the effective governance of the HFEA, and help retain public and professional confidence in the regulation of fertility treatment and embryo research in the UK.

Tom Fowler, Deputy National Director of Health Protection and Screening Services at Public Health Wales, Rosamund Scott, Professor of Medical Law and Ethics and Director of the Centre of Medical Law and Ethics at King’s College London, Anya Sizer, freelance fertility consultant and Trustee of Fertility Alliance, and Stephen Troup, consultant reproductive scientist and Founder Member of the Association of Reproductive and Clinical Scientists (ARCS), began their three-year term in October 2024.

Julia Chain, Chair of the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA) said:

“I am delighted to welcome four highly regarded Members to the Authority. Each new Member brings their own unique experience and expertise that will help shape our future activity and ensure fertility patients continue to receive high-quality care.

“I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank our departing members for their invaluable contributions to the HFEA over the last few years.”

To find out more about the HFEA’s Authority members, click here.

Ends

For more information or for interviews with a HFEA spokesperson, please contact press.office@hfea.gov.uk or call 020 7291 8226.

For out of hours requests, please contact the duty press officer on 07771 981920.

Notes to editors

• Full biographies for each of the newly appointed Members are available here.
• Member appointments are made in accordance with the Cabinet Office Code of Governance for Public Appointments. The regulation of public appointments against the requirements of this Code is carried out by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
• Member appointments are made on merit and political activity played no part in the decision process. However, in accordance with the Code, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public. None have declared any political activity.
• Remuneration for an Authority Member role at the HFEA is at a rate of £7,883 per year and involves a time commitment of three days per month, with an additional allowance for the Audit and Governance Committee Chair, who receives £13,137 a year.

About the HFEA

• The HFEA is the UK’s independent regulator of fertility treatment and research using human embryos.
• Set up in 1990 by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act, the HFEA is responsible for licensing, monitoring, and inspecting fertility clinics - and taking enforcement action where necessary - to ensure everyone accessing fertility treatment receives high quality care.
• The HFEA is an ‘arm’s length body’ of the Department for Health and Social Care, working independently from Government providing free, clear, and impartial information about fertility treatment, clinics and egg, sperm and embryo donation.
• The HFEA collects and verifies data on all treatments that take place in UK licensed clinics which can support scientific developments and research and service planning and delivery.
• The HFEA is funded by licence fees, IVF treatment fees and a small grant from UK central government. For more information, visit hfea.gov.uk.