Professor Sir Ian Chapman has been appointed as the next CEO of UK Research and Innovation.
As CEO of the UK Atomic Energy Authority, Sir Ian has led the way in delivering a major infrastructure project to design and build a prototype powerplant.
He will succeed Dame Henrietta Miriam Ottoline Leyser, a Regius Professor of Botany at the University of Cambridge who has been on secondment as CEO and will leave the role this summer.
UKRI is the country鈥檚 largest public research funder, with a budget of 拢9bn per year.
Its work in recent years includes backing the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine and the construction of the world鈥檚 most advanced wind turbine test facility, helping the UK to become a clean energy superpower.聽
It has also been a major contributor to the 拢1bn of UK public investment in AI R&D so far so the UK captures the technology鈥檚 opportunities to enhance growth and productivity as the third largest AI market in the world.
The government says his experience will be a major asset in drawing on the UK鈥檚 world-leading research talent, facilities, universities and businesses, as drivers of R&D which will kickstart economic growth.
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鈥淕rowing the economy is this government鈥檚 number one mission and taking full advantage of the innovative ideas, talent and facilities across our country is key to reaching that goal and improving lives across the UK,鈥� said Science Minister Lord Vallance.
鈥淪ir Ian鈥檚 leadership experience, scientific expertise and academic achievements make him an exceptionally strong candidate to lead UKRI in pursuing ambitious, curiosity-driven research, as well as innovations that will unlock new benefits for the UK鈥檚 people and drive our Plan for Change.
鈥淲e also thank Dame Ottoline Leyser ahead of her stepping down this summer, recognising her pivotal work in guiding UKRI through challenging times, notably during the Covid pandemic and through the UK鈥檚 return to participation in Horizon Europe.鈥�
Sir Ian said: 鈥淚 am excited to be joining an excellent team at UKRI focussed on improving the lives and livelihoods of UK citizens.
鈥淩esearch and innovation must be central to the prosperity of our society and our economy, so UKRI can shape the future of the country.
鈥淚 was tremendously fortunate to represent UKAEA, an organisation at the forefront of global research and innovation of fusion energy, and I look forward to building on those experiences to enable the wider UK research and innovation sector.鈥�
UKRI plays a key part in driving up UK participation in the world鈥檚 largest research programme, Horizon Europe.
UKRI chairman Sir Andrew Mackenzie said: 鈥淭he board and I are delighted that Ian will become UKRI鈥檚 next CEO in the summer.聽
鈥淩esearch and Innovation are fundamental to UK growth. Ian has the skills, experience, leadership and commitment to unlock this opportunity to improve the lives and livelihoods of everyone.聽
鈥淲e look forward to working with him on the next phase of UKRI鈥檚 development and our stewardship of the UK鈥檚 innovation culture and systems.聽聽
鈥淲e thank Ottoline for an outstanding five years as UKRI鈥檚 CEO. She has delivered a step-change in operational effectiveness and cross-discipline work through collective and inclusive leadership and secured more social and commercial impacts from our investments.鈥�