Statistics Advisory Committee - Appointments

Aidan Campbell

Aidan is the Research Programme Development Manager at the Centre for Cross Border Cooperation in Armagh. He manages the research program to strengthen cross-border cooperation on the island of Ireland, in Europe, and beyond. Aidan is responsible for increasing the Centre’s research profile by commissioning and undertaking unique and relevant pieces of research. He is managing the research elements of a PEACEPLUS-funded S2@25 project on the North South Implementation Bodies. Before taking up his role with the Centre in April 2024, Aidan was the Policy and Public Affairs Officer at Rural Community Network where he coordinated the policy and research program, edited the Policy Link newsletter, delivered training and developed resources. After completing a BA in Economics and Social History at Queen's University and the Higher Diploma in Community Development at the National University of Ireland in Maynooth, he was a community development officer with Lenadoon Community Forum in Belfast.

Claire Hutchinson

Professor Hutchinson is Chair of Experimental Psychology at the University of the West of Scotland. She holds an MA (Hons) Psychology, awarded by the University of Aberdeen and a PhD in Visual Neuroscience, awarded by the University of Nottingham. She has held previous academic posts at the University of Nottingham and Leicester University. Professor Hutchinson is a Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol) and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA). She brings over 20 years’ experience as a university academic. This includes substantive knowledge and experience in quantitative research methods and statistics, and in the design and implementation of effective research governance frameworks.

Saite Lu

Dr Lu is an economist with extensive experience in academia, public policy, and international development. He currently serves as the Mead Fellow in Economics at Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge, where he supervises macroeconomics and development economics. Dr Lu has held academic roles at the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, and ISM University of Management and Economics, with research focusing on macro-fiscal forecasting, national accounting, and sustainable development. Beyond academia, Dr Lu has advised the governments of Oman, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sierra Leone, and the Palestinian Authority on macro-fiscal policies. He has also engaged in global policy dialogues as a Fellow of the Global Future Councils with the World Economic Forum. Dr Lu holds a PhD in Development Studies from the University of Cambridge, an MPhil in Economics from the University of Oxford, and a BSc in Economics from the University of Ulster.

Bernadette Lunney

Bernie Lunney is a Change and Continuous Improvement expert with over 30 years of successful operational and strategic change delivery in local government and healthcare in the UK. She has received recognition from central government for her improvement work and led national initiatives around welfare benefits. She was instrumental in improving performance ratings whilst in local government and in healthcare and has led corporate performance assessments in high profile councils and healthcare regulators. Bernie has chaired audit and risk committees, and supported elected members at Islington Council, and has led tenant and advocacy forums in London. She set up and chaired the first every Regulatory Forum for healthcare regulators in the UK. Bernie currently sits as Vice Chair on the Fermanagh & Omagh Policing and Community Safety Partnership, and as an independent member on the WHSCT Area Integrated Partnership Board and Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Board.

Claire McAleenan

Mrs McAleenan is a PwC trained Chartered Accountant, bringing over 20 years of leadership experience in financial services. She is currently Head of Cost Planning at NatWest PLC and has extensive experience in driving financial performance and leading successful change initiatives. She has recently led a cost transformation programme that enabled NatWest to meet targets for three consecutive years, managing an annual budget of c£7bn. Previously, as Head of Costs and Investment at Ulster Bank, she oversaw a £700m budget. Claire’s previous experience of eight years as a Corporate Lender brings strong business acumen and knowledge of local economic conditions. She is also a Regional Board Member for Ulster Bank, actively engaging with communities and colleagues. Claire holds a BSc in Accounting with French from Queens University and has certifications in Strategic Finance and Insolvency.

Lisa McFetridge

Dr McFetridge is a Senior Lecturer in Statistics and Thematic Lead for Statistics and Data Analytics in the School of Mathematics and Physics at Queen’s University Belfast, the same institution in which she completed her PhD in Statistics. Her research develops novel statistical techniques for the modelling, analysis, forecasting and visualisation of complex real-world data. Her work is highly collaborative in nature, frequently linking with the NHS, local companies and charities to embed cutting-edge statistical techniques into their processes. Dr McFetridge is a member of the Mathematical Sciences Strategic Advisory Team for the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, incoming Honorary Officer and Council member for the Royal Statistical Society and previous Education Officer for the Irish Statistical Association. Dr McFetridge actively promotes the role of data-driven decision making to drive innovation in society, inspiring the future strategic direction of the discipline within the UK and internationally.

Joanna Singleton

Joanna Singleton is a Data Scientist with over seven years of industry experience across the areas of Data Science, Data Engineering, and Cloud Engineering. Throughout her career, she has held various leadership and managerial positions where she has successfully employed advanced analytics and artificial intelligence techniques to solve business challenges and generate value. Joanna is passionate about embedding data and analytical insights into decision-making processes to inform business strategy and enhance performance. Joanna holds a First Class MSc in Mathematics, Statistics and Operational Research degree. She also currently serves as a School Governor.

Katie Willoughby

Mrs Willoughby is Head of Data Analytics at OpenData Belfast, bringing a depth of statistical and analytical expertise across both public and private sectors. In her role, she leverages data-driven insights to shape strategic initiatives, influencing business development. She has a background in data analytics, visualisation, and storytelling within the medtech industry across advancements in precision medicine, with a focus on Oncology, and as a freelance consultant transforming data into actionable insights and scalable products. Katie began her career at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), where her work in analytics informed key policy and decision-making frameworks including a review into Open Access to research papers and analysing the implications of the Augar Review recommendations (post-18 review of education and funding). Her experience spans quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, ensuring a comprehensive approach to data in guiding public sector outcomes. She holds an MSc in Cancer Sciences from the University of Glasgow, specialising in Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), and a BSc in Biology and Mathematics.