The head of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), Prof Ian Chapman, will take over as chief executive of Britain’s research and innovation funding body with a focus on backing R&D to fulfil the government’s growth plans.
Chapman will lead the team at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the largest public research funder in the country with an annual budget of £9bn, as the organisation emphasises science and technology advancements as a source of economic returns.
Expected to take over UKRI in the Summer, Chapman will replace Prof Dame Ottoline Leyser, who ran the group since May 2020. Leyser announced her intention to step down as the UKRI CEO last August.
“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,” said Science Minister Lord Vallance.
“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.”
Chapman has been with the UKAEA for more than 20 years and has run the government agency since 2016. The organisation has received a renewed purpose this year on the orders of the prime minister, who has called for the design and construction of new nuclear facilities.
The professor’s new remit will see him promote Britain’s researchers, universities and tech businesses on the world stage, including through the UK’s participation in Horizon Europe, a joint research initiative based in the European Union.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) said UKRI will also play an increasing role in supporting the government’s long-term industrial strategy and has been tasked with removing barriers to growth in R&D-driven sectors.
“Research and innovation must be central to the prosperity of our society and our economy, so UKRI can shape the future of the country,” said Chapman.
“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.”
The UKAEA is based in the Oxfordshire village of Culham. This month, the site was named the first artificial intelligence growth zone as part of the AI Opportunities Action Plan – a government strategy to boost Britain’s place in the global AI sector.
The group’s deputy CEO, Tim Bestwick, will take over as interim CEO during the search for a permanent replacement.
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