Speakers - B

Alex Ball is Research Officer at UKOLN, University of Bath, and works in the field of data curation and digital preservation. Since 2005, he has worked on the Knowledge and Information Management (KIM) Grand Challenge Project, where his research interest is curation of digital engineering information. He has been involved in work on the audit and description of scientific research data. Previously, Alex worked for the South West Regional Library System and in public, academic and special libraries. His interests include information retrieval, inter-library co-operation, web and document design.

Neil Beagrie is managing director of Charles Beagrie Ltd, an independent management consultancy company specialising in the digital archive, library, science and research sectors. He is currently working as a principal consultant on the JISC-funded institutional preservation policy study and a HEFCE-funded feasibility study for a UK Research Data Service (UKRDS). His previous career spans a range of senior information management roles including Programme Director for Digital Preservation at the UK Joint Information Systems Committee, Director and Assistant Director of the Arts and Humanities Data Service, and Head of Archaeological Archives and Library at the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England. He has published extensively on digital preservation and digital library issues. Further information including published articles and recent talks are available from www.beagrie.com.

Filip Boudrez works for the City Archives of Antwerp where he puts the (e)DAVID findings into practice. He continues the research on electronic record-keeping within the Expertisecentrum DAVID, the successor of the DAVIDproject and creates tools for the implementation of the record-keeping procedures for which he uses new technologies like XML and XSLT. Between October 2000 and December 2003, in the DAVID-project, he developed electronic record keeping strategies, practical guidelines and best practices for all kind of electronic records (e-mail, office documents, websites, databases, content management systems, GIS, etc). In 1997 he obtained the degree of Archivist and Records Manager and the same year he followed training in software engineering and computer programming. Filip studied History at the University of Louvain.

Frances Boyle is the Executive Director of the Digital Preservation Coalition. She is an information management professional with many years experience in delivering and supporting information services and digital library initiatives in academic, research and commercial environments. Her previous incarnations have included posts at Oxford University, Cancer Research UK, Royal Society of Chemistry and Mercury Asset Management. She is a member of the Executive Board of the pan European 'Alliance for Permanent Access'.  She holds an MSc and professional qualifications in information science and management. Frances’ academic background was in chemistry. She has written, presented and taught widely on many digital library initiatives and courses.

Dame Lynne Brindley has been the Chief Executive of the British Library since June 2000. She is the first woman and the first information professional to have held the post. Lynne has led a major strategic development and modernisation programme to ensure that the British Library remains a relevant, innovative and accessible national institution in the 21st century.

Lynne came to the British Library from the University of Leeds where she was Pro-Vice Chancellor. Previously, she was a Senior Consultant with KPMG and has held leadership positions in information technology and knowledge management at Aston University and the London School of Economics.

Lynne is active in international, European and national bodies concerned with media and information society initiatives, digital infrastructure and libraries and cultural and public sector leadership. She is visiting professor at City and Leeds Universities. She speaks and writes on digital society, copyright and IP, knowledge management and leadership.

Lynne has honorary degrees from the universities of Oxford, Leeds, Sheffield and University College, London. She is Companion of the Institute of Management, on the Court of the Goldsmith's Company and a Trustee for its charity, the Goldsmith's Centre. She is a member of the SABIP (Strategic Advisory Board for Intellectual Property).

Lynne Brindley was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the New Years Honours List 2008 for services to Education.