Mr Peter Thompson

Profile

Peter is an experienced public sector Chief Executive and currently serves as CEO of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), the statutory UK regulator of fertility services, like IVF, and research involving human embryos. The HFEA was the first regulator of its kind in the world and has been forefront of regulatory developments ever since, including in 2015 the first-in-world licensing of embryo research involving genome editing and of mitochondrial donation for clinical treatment.

Prior to joining HFEA in 2009, Peter spent many years as a senior civil servant in a variety of departments, including the Ministry of Justice and the Cabinet Office. Peter’s achievements include taking the Gender Recognition Bill through Parliament (2003-04) which enabled transsexual people to change their gender in law, leading for the UK on EU Justice policy (2004-07), including the justice element of the UK Presidency of the EU in 2005, and leading the Prime Minister’s Constitutional Reform programme (2007-08).

Peter has lived in East London since 2002 and his three children have all attended local schools.

Peter joined as an external member of Council in November 2017 and took over as Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee in 2022.

Research