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’s largest public research funder, with a budget of £9bn per year.
Its work in recent years includes backing the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine and the construction of the world’s most advanced wind turbine test facility, helping the UK to become a clean energy superpower.
It has also been a major contributor to the £1bn of UK public investment in AI R&D so far so the UK captures the technology’s 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’s world-leading research talent, facilities, universities and businesses, as drivers of R&D which will kickstart economic growth.
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“Growing the economy is this government’s 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,” said Science Minister Lord Vallance.
“Sir Ian’s 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’s people and drive our Plan for Change.
“We 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’s return to participation in Horizon Europe.”
Sir Ian said: “I am excited to be joining an excellent team at UKRI focussed on improving the lives and livelihoods of UK citizens.
“Research and innovation must be central to the prosperity of our society and our economy, so UKRI can shape the future of the country.
“I 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.”
UKRI plays a key part in driving up UK participation in the world’s largest research programme, Horizon Europe.
UKRI chairman Sir Andrew Mackenzie said: “The board and I are delighted that Ian will become UKRI’s next CEO in the summer.
“Research 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.
“We look forward to working with him on the next phase of UKRI’s development and our stewardship of the UK’s innovation culture and systems.
“We thank Ottoline for an outstanding five years as UKRI’s 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.”