Professor Sir Ian Chapman will become the next CEO of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), leading a refreshed mission that puts economic growth at the heart of public investment in R&D, Science Minister Lord Vallance has announced.
UKRI is the country’s largest public research funder, with a budget of £9 billion per year, giving it a central role in ensuring public funding is invested in ambitious, pioneering research that will benefit the whole of the UK.
Its work in recent years includes backing the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. It has also been a major contributor to the £1 billion of UK public investment in AI R&D so far.
They aim to use Professor Sir Ian’s experience to drive R&D to kickstart economic growth and build an NHS fit for the future. During his time as CEO of the UK Atomic Energy Authority, Sir Ian has led the transition from an organisation rooted in deep R&D excellence, to one that is now also delivering major infrastructure programmes.
Through the UK’s world-class universities and institutes, UKRI develops and nurtures future talent to maintain the UK’s position as a global hub of research, development and deployment in the long term while collaborating with partners to bring UK innovations to both NHS patients and patients worldwide.
UKRI plays a key part in driving up UK participation in the world’s largest research programme, Horizon Europe and will also play an increasing role in steering the nation’s long-term industrial strategy, removing barriers to growth and building on the UK’s strategic advantage in its fundamental science capability.
