GSS Conference 2026 Committee

The Government Statistical Service (GSS) Policy and Coordination team are the secretariat for the conference, and are responsible for supporting the Chairs and Committee to ensure successful delivery.

Jade

How do you think statistics fit into our everyday lives?

Who’s a storyteller you admire, and what makes them stand out to you?

I’m a fan of Kim Scott – she’s great at structuring stories from her professional life to bring strategies for improvement to the forefront in an engaging way. The Radical Candor book and podcast have changed the way I think and communicate at work – they always offer sage advice.

What skills are you looking forward to developing as a member of this year’s committee?

As part of the secretariat, it’s all about the project and people management for me! I really enjoy bringing structure to delivery and supporting people to gain new skills and confidence.

Charlie

I work in the Government Statistical Service (GSS) Policy and Coordination team, supporting with boosting community and engagement for our members. I was involved in the planning of the GSS Conference last year and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I am looking forward to seeing what this year brings.

How do you think statistics fit into our everyday lives?

We use statistics every day, sometimes without even realising it. I mostly notice when looking at film reviews to help decide what to watch or star ratings on big purchases to make sure I am making the right choice!

Who’s a storyteller you admire, and what makes them stand out to you?

I absolutely love Tim Burton and the whimsy of his movies. His direction style and artwork bring more wonder to the world.

What skills are you looking forward to developing as a member of this year’s committee?

I am looking forward to developing my skills in project planning and management. Conference planning is a great opportunity to oversee a big task from start to finish.

The GSS Conference Chairs lead the Conference Committee.

Ben

I work on Criminal Court Statistics in the Ministry of Justice, assessing the court backlog and the argument for court reform. I have a background in Geology and worked on the conference committee last year supporting the parallel sessions.

How do you think statistics fit into our everyday lives?

As an avid Crystal Palace fan I love to check the stats when watching a match. Expected Goals is a new and novel figure to bring to the table.

Who’s a storyteller you admire, and what makes them stand out to you?

John Williams has written some of the best film scores around and can tell a story without using a word.

What skills are you looking forward to developing as a member of this year’s committee?

I’m looking to build my leadership and organisational skills as well as working with a cross-departmental team.

George

I work at the Office for National Statistics as a Method Data and Research Analyst in the Public Sector Division. I am particularly passionate about how the work I do helps provide meaningful results that support and improve outcomes for marginalised groups

How do you think statistics fit into our everyday lives?

Statistics play a key role in everyday life by helping people and organisations make informed decisions. Whether through public policy, healthcare, or personal choices, statistics turn data into insights that shape outcomes and improve lives especially for those whose voices are less often heard.

Who’s a storyteller you admire, and what makes them stand out to you?

James Baldwin – his eyes speak louder than his poetry.

What skills are you looking forward to developing as a member of this year’s committee?

My project delivery skills.

The communications workstream plan and create communications for the conference.

Alex

I am part of the Communications team at the Office for National Statistics.

How do you think statistics fit into our everyday lives?

Statistics are everywhere that we look; the people that we live with, the places that we go, and the prices of the things we buy all make up the statistics that tell the story of our world.

Who’s a storyteller you admire, and what makes them stand out to you?

I am an unashamed fan of mystery novels and detective fiction and there are few storytellers as masterful as Agatha Christie. That her stories continue to endure is a testament to how easily they bring readers in.

What skills are you looking forward to developing as a member of this year’s committee?

I am looking forward to working with such a diverse team to create one of the highlights of 2026 for the UK statistics calendar.

Emma

I joined the Ministry of Justice in 2024 after transitioning from many years in academia. My background is in developmental psychology and quantitative research methods and I have been very fortunate so far to have been able to work in positions within the Ministry of Justice where I have been able to apply and develop these skills further. I spent a while analysing data relating to the funding of victim support services and recently switched to an exciting role in the Workforce Equalities and Statistics team.

How do you think statistics fit into our everyday lives?

I’m not sure how accurate my smartwatch really is, but I enjoy using it to track various physiological markers of health. Over time, it’s been useful for spotting trends in things like resting heart rate and activity levels, which can provide a general indication of my overall health. Of course, it’s only one piece of the puzzle, and it’s important to keep that in perspective. I think the same principle applies to much of the data we’re presented with every day, where we should always consider the quality of the metrics, the reliability of the measurement tools, and how the data is being interpreted before drawing conclusions.

Who’s a storyteller you admire, and what makes them stand out to you?

I’m a big fan of Japanese literature, particularly the works of Haruki Murakami. He has an extraordinary ability to blend the ordinary with the surreal, creating dreamlike worlds that feel both strange and deeply familiar. Through his distinctive style, he explores complex ideas and human relationships in a way that’s engaging, thought-provoking, and remarkably accessible. I’d highly recommend Kafka on the Shore, it throws you straight into a bizarre, dreamlike mystery (complete with talking cats) and captures everything that makes Murakami such a unique and compelling writer.

What skills are you looking forward to developing as a member of this year’s committee?

I am hoping to develop my networking and project management skills, as well as learning as much as I can about what it means to be a member of the GSG and all the benefits that come with it.

Mischa

I am a statistical production analyst based in the North-West.

How do you think statistics fit into our everyday lives?

I think we use data-based decisions and statistics all the time. From working at the ONS, I have come to realise how many different data sources are collected and this can influence policy and legislation.

Who’s a storyteller you admire, and what makes them stand out to you?

Bill Bryson, for his ability to turn big, complex topics into stories that are engaging and effortlessly readable.

What skills are you looking forward to developing as a member of this year’s committee?

As part of the communications team, I’m looking forward to learning all the steps involved in running a successful conference, with the added challenge of working with a cross-government team.

The delegates workstream coordinate attendee tickets and information, and support delegate related arrangements and queries.

Afolabi

I am a Development Lead in the Universal Credit Official Statistics team at the Department for Work and Pensions, leading the development of new statistical measures and insights. My interests include data analysis, data science and AI capability. I have worked in government analysis for three years and hold a PhD in Geology.

How do you think statistics fit into our everyday lives?

I see statistics as a way of helping us understand what’s happening around us. They help us look beyond opinions and assumptions by using facts and data. Whether it’s improving public services, understanding trends, or supporting government decisions, statistics help make sure decisions are based on evidence and have a positive impact on people’s lives.

Who’s a storyteller you admire, and what makes them stand out to you?

I admire Hans Rosling because he was great at turning data into stories that people could understand.

What skills are you looking forward to developing as a member of this year’s committee?

I’m looking forward to improving my networking skills, building relationships with colleagues across the GSS, and learning from people with different experiences and expertise.

Alex

I’m an Assistant Statistician currently working in an evaluation team in the Department for Work and Pensions. Day to day, I encourage the use of randomised controlled trials across the organisation and analyse their results.

How do you think statistics fit into our everyday lives?

Statistics helps us to understand the world around us. It tells us what works and what doesn’t. Without statistical methods and reasoning, we wouldn’t know which drugs are safe, how demographics change over time or even what the weather will be like next Tuesday.

Who’s a storyteller you admire, and what makes them stand out to you?

I believe a good story is both memorable and an effective teaching tool, my favourite teachers were always great storytellers.

What skills are you looking forward to developing as a member of this year’s committee?

It would be great to improve my storytelling!

Hrushika

I am a statistician working at His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).

How do you think statistics fit into our everyday lives?

I believe statistics fit into almost every part of our lives. Statistics not only help us understand the story that a dataset is trying to tell, but also shape our own stories by supporting better decision-making, whether in business, healthcare, education, or simply our personal lives.

Who’s a storyteller you admire, and what makes them stand out to you?

David Attenborough – his ability to turn complex information about nature and wildlife to engaging and compelling stories.

What skills are you looking forward to developing as a member of this year’s committee?

I’m looking forward to developing my collaboration and communication skills by working to ensure all departments are represented at this year’s conference.

Jake

I work in the Analysis Directorate within the Ministry of Defence and have been a Civil Servant for 6 years.

How do you think statistics fit into our everyday lives?

Statistics are everywhere whether you realise it or not. We’re all statistics ourselves!

Who’s a storyteller you admire, and what makes them stand out to you?

Eminem. Multi-perspective stories with vivid imagery all whilst following a rhyme scheme, what more could you ask for!

What skills are you looking forward to developing as a member of this year’s committee?

Organisation, time management and networking with other statisticians.

Blythe

Heidi

I have been a Civil Servant for 5 years and currently work at the Planning Inspectorate on planning application appeals. Most of my work is related to dashboards tracking metrics including number of applications, residences and timeliness, but I also enjoy understanding relevant policies and how planning works in the UK.

Outside of work I enjoy being active and getting outdoors – mostly running, hiking and helping friends at their allotments.

How do you think statistics fit into our everyday lives?

As most GSS members will know, there is data behind everything that keeps UK society going. However, I think COVID highlighted the relevance of stats in everyday life, as people became interested in infection rates, mortality figures and vaccination data. Since then its become more popular for the public to use statistics daily such as weather forecasts, sports team analysis, traffic data in Google Maps or Strava.

Who’s a storyteller you admire, and what makes them stand out to you?

Meik Wiking who set up the Happiness Research Institute. I’ve read a few of his books about living well, being happy and balance in which he uses data and social experiments to compare countries. For example, the “lost wallet experiment”, in which researchers measured whether people believed a lost wallet would be returned and compared this with what happened in reality. The study found that wallets were returned around twice as often as people expected, demonstrating that we often underestimate the kindness of strangers. The UK ranked 23rd out of 147 countries.

What makes him a great storyteller is his ability to turn research into relatable and easy to follow stories. His use of real-life examples makes the findings engaging and memorable.

What skills are you looking forward to developing as a member of this year’s committee?

As part of the logistics team, I’m looking forward to doing lots of organising and planning, and helping to run the event in person rather than sat behind a screen!

Thusanth

Aarthi

I work at the Department of Work and Pensions in Digital Transformation Research Analysis Division. My role focuses on modelling and forecasting savings associated with the Customer Account, using data analysis and modelling techniques to assess benefits, efficiencies, and value-realisation opportunities. By translating complex data into actionable insights, I help inform strategic decisions and support the delivery of digital transformation programmes.

How do you think statistics fit into our everyday lives?

Statistics are part of our everyday lives because they help us make informed decisions based on data. Whether it’s checking the weather forecast, tracking our spending, monitoring our health, or understanding trends in the news, statistics help us interpret information, identify patterns, and make better choices both personally and professionally

Who’s a storyteller you admire, and what makes them stand out to you?

I admire Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic, author of Storytelling with Data. What stands out to me is her ability to transform complex data and statistics into clear, compelling stories that are easy to understand and act upon. She emphasizes that effective communication is just as important as the analysis itself, using thoughtful data visualisation and narrative techniques to help audiences focus on the insights that matter most. Her approach has influenced how I think about presenting data – making it more accessible, engaging, and impactful for decision-makers.

What skills are you looking forward to developing as a member of this year’s committee?

I’m looking forward to developing my leadership and collaboration skills as a member of this year’s committee. I hope to gain experience working with a diverse group of people, building strong relationships, and contributing to decisions that deliver meaningful outcomes. I’m also keen to strengthen my ability to influence and support others, work collaboratively towards shared goals, and learn how effective leadership can help bring together different perspectives to achieve success.

Mariagrazia

I am a Senior Statistical Analyst at Building Digital UK, where I work on official statistics and transparency publications relating to broadband delivery across the UK. Before joining government, I worked as a statistical consultant at the University of Oxford, supporting research and applied projects across multiple sectors. I am a Chartered Statistician with a particular interest in reproducible analysis and using evidence to support decision-making.

How do you think statistics fit into our everyday lives?

Statistics shape far more of our daily lives than most people realise, influencing decisions about healthcare, education, transport and the public services we rely on every day.

On a personal level, I have always found uncertainty difficult. Statistics cannot provide black-and-white answers, but they can help us understand and quantify uncertainty. There is something reassuring about being able to say not only what we think might happen, but also how confident we are and what we do not know. For me, that makes uncertainty feel more manageable.

Ultimately, I think statistics are not simply about numbers, but about helping people make better decisions in an uncertain world.

Who’s a storyteller you admire, and what makes them stand out to you?

The storyteller I admire most is Hans Rosling. He had an extraordinary ability to make complex global trends understandable, engaging and hopeful without oversimplifying them. His work showed that statistics are not just numbers, but stories about people and the world around us.

I particularly love his book Factfulness, which I would recommend to anyone working with data or simply trying to make sense of the world. It is a wonderful reminder of the importance of challenging assumptions, embracing nuance and using evidence to better understand the world around us.

What skills are you looking forward to developing as a member of this year’s committee?

As a member of the Speakers team, I am particularly looking forward to developing my skills in speaker engagement, stakeholder management and session design. I am excited by the opportunity to work with speakers from across government and beyond to create engaging and inspiring sessions for the GSS community, and to learn more about what makes conference talks truly memorable and impactful.

Mihaela

I am a second-year Fast Streamer in the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), currently working on economic shocks analysis and due to start a secondment in October. I previously worked on the production of official statistics in both DBT and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Governments.

How do you think statistics fit into our everyday lives?

For me, statistics are about helping people understand the bigger picture. They take lots of individual pieces of information and bring them together to show trends, explain changes and support decisions that affect people’s daily lives.

Who’s a storyteller you admire, and what makes them stand out to you?

I admire Hannah Fry for the way she uses storytelling to draw people in and keep them interested. She brings a human element to complex topics and involves her audience in the conversation, rather than talking at them. She also has a strong ability to simplify ideas without losing their meaning.

What skills are you looking forward to developing as a member of this year’s committee?

I am looking forward to developing my communication and engagement skills, particularly through working with stakeholders and speakers to shape the conference content and ensure it is relevant and engaging for the GSS community.

Narayan

Will

Thanks for reading this! I’m a data analyst for HMICFRS, specifically in the fire team. We collect data from all FRS’ in England, and support our inspectors in getting the most out of the data when on inspection. We also work on developing PowerBI pages, and ad-hoc data analysis requests. The day’s aren’t all the same, but they rhyme!

How do you think statistics fit into our everyday lives?

Honestly, for myself, using it to try and win the FPL competition… It’s not gone well. But for everyone else, it’s all around us without even realising. Most decisions you and I make are based off an analysis we’ve performed in our heads and then made a choice based off the output.

Who’s a storyteller you admire, and what makes them stand out to you?

My quant lecturers at university were great storytellers. They made me interested in a topic I had no want to be interested in when I first started; now it’s my career! I also admire both John Williams (the author) and John Williams (the conductor) for being able to effectively swell up emotions with only a few words, or musical staves.

What skills are you looking forward to developing as a member of this year’s committee?

Is this the part where I talk about Civil Service strengths and behaviours? Really though, I think it’s a great opportunity to learn how to communicate to more senior people in our field, and build a rapport with them. I also look forward to managing two different workstreams at the same time, a new challenge which will test my time management abilities.