Image: Tom Betts (Photo: Lisa Whiting)
Tom Betts, AI and machine learning specialist with previous board experience, takes over from Nick Jones to guide the Bristol science centre into its 25th anniversary year
Bristol educational charity and science centre, We The Curious, has appointed an AI specialist as its new chair of trustees.
New appointment Tom Betts is a specialist in machine learning and AI – holding a master’s degree in informatics from the University of Edinburgh and a bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence and computer science from the University of Sussex.
He is a non-executive director at the UK Hydrographic Office and advisor in the field of AI and new technologies.
He has previously held executive appointments at European retail conglomerate Kingfisher Plc, and prior to that, Chief Data Officer and board member at the Financial Times.
Betts has experience at the science centre, having served as a board member since 2019.
He takes over as new Chair, from outgoing Chair Nick Jones, as of February 2025.
Donna Speed, CEO at We The Curious said: “I’d like to extend my thanks to Nick for everything that he’s done for us here at We The Curious as a trustee, and as Chair. He’s guided and supported us during some truly challenging times – I’m grateful to have worked with him and wish him well for the future.
“I’m really excited that Tom is our new Chair and feel very lucky that he’s moving into this role, his experience in the fields of data technology and AI will be vital for positioning us as the science centre that we want to be for future generations.”
Betts, added: “We want to show that science is for everyone; it’s our mission to connect and empower people, to celebrate science and to encourage curiosity – that matters more than ever right now, and I am excited to help guide We The Curious into its next chapter.”
This change in Board leadership also sees new board members Amy Seakins, Annabelle Foot, Eilis Davis and Sasha Pratt-Taweh join We The Curious.
2025 marks a significant year for We The Curious, which will see it celebrating its 25th anniversary, along with a network of science and discovery centres across the UK that were funded as part of the National Lottery Millennium Commission.
