Bernard Silverman — Emeritus Henry Overton Wills Professor of Mathematics at the University of Bristol and Chief Scientific Adviser to the Home Office — has been knighted in the New Year Honours List for public service and services to science.

He is recognised as a pioneer of computational statistics, researching the ways that computing power has changed our ability to collect, analyse, understand and use data, and he has published extensively in this field.

Following the award of a Gold Medal at the 1970 International Mathematical Olympiad, Sir Bernard studied mathematics and then statistics at Cambridge University. In parallel with his doctoral research into computational statistics, he co-designed the first pocket programmable calculator — the Sinclair Cambridge Programmable.

He went on to senior posts at the Universities of Bath, Bristol and Oxford, and he has spent a substantial amount of time as a visitor at Stanford and at other universities in the USA and world-wide. He has a broad record of providing statistical and consultancy advice to industry, commerce and Government.

From 2010 to 2017, he worked full-time as Chief Scientific Adviser to the Home Office. His role was to provide scientific advice to the Home Secretary, ministers and officials, to lead research and science within the Home Office, and to build relationships within and outside the Government — including internationally.

He is now freelance, with roles that include research, charity trusteeship, consultancy, and advising the Government.