Charles Hampshire was formerly Chair of the Progress Educational Trust (PET)'s precursor organisation, the Progress Campaign for Research into Human Reproduction. A father of twins born as a result of IVF treatment, he campaigned around the development of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 as it passed through both Houses of Parliament, and was subsequently involved in PET's educational and awareness raising work. He went on to hold senior posts in local government and education, including positions at the Royal College of Music, Middlesex University, Buckinghamshire County Council and several London Borough Councils, and he is now Director of Finance and Operations at the Milton Keynes Academy.