Data science company Profusion has announced that Charlie Wijeratna and Anne Spackman have joined its board as non-executive directors.

Wijeratna and Spackman will help expand Profusion’s commercial offering, develop its charitable programmes and support its new Data Academy. 

The Data Academy, which is due to launch in the summer, is one of the UK’s first year-long academic and business programmes specifically targeted at getting underrepresented groups into data science. It has been developed in partnership with the University of Essex, and will take in 20 students aged 16-24 from minority or low income backgrounds, with further programmes to follow later in the year. 

Profusion provides a range of data science and digital marketing services to global companies including HSBC, Kingfisher Group, Coty, and First Direct.

Natalie Cramp, CEO of Profusion, says, “Appointing Charlie and Anne is a real coup for us. They both bring a wealth of senior experience from a range of different organisations. This talent and insight will help Profusion capitalise on the soaring demand for data-driven marketing services, innovation and business intelligence. They will also play a major role in our Data Academy which is part of our commitment to tackling the diversity and skills gap in our sector.”