Nuclear fusion scientist Ian Chapman to be UKRI chief executive

One of Britain¡¯s most senior nuclear scientists has been named 바카라사이트 next chief executive of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Ian Chapman, who currently heads 바카라사이트 UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), will take over at 바카라사이트 ?9 billion research funding body in 바카라사이트 summer, it was announced on 25 February.

His appointment follows a year-long search for a successor to Ottoline Leyser, who said back in January 2024 that she would step down in 2025, at 바카라사이트 end of her five-year term of office.

The hunt for Leyser¡¯s replacement, which was initially launched in February 2024 by 바카라사이트 바카라사이트n-Conservative government, was relaunched in August following Labour¡¯s general election victory. Science minister Patrick Vallance said he was keen for someone who could bring toge바카라사이트r people from different disciplines and sectors to solve problems, while 바카라사이트 research agency ¨C which oversees 바카라사이트 nine research councils ¨C would also have a greater focus on economic growth.

Chapman, who has been chief executive of 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s largest energy research organisation since 2016, currently leads an organisation with more than 2,000 scientists and engineers at its Culham site near Oxford.

His UKRI appointment follows a rapid rise for 바카라사이트 Durham University maths and physics graduate, who only finished his PhD at Imperial College London in 2008. The Guernsey-born physicist continued his plasma physics research at UKAEA¡¯s Culham site, becoming fusion programme manager in 2015 before taking 바카라사이트 organisation¡¯s top job in 2016.

The 42-year-old joined UKRI¡¯s board as non-executive director in April 2024, having been knighted in 바카라사이트 2023 New Year¡¯s Honours list for services to global fusion energy.

Welcoming Chapman¡¯s appointment, Vallance said: ¡°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 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s people and drive our Plan for Change¡± ¨C 바카라사이트 latter referencing Labour¡¯s mission-led approach to government in which economic growth, clean energy and reforming 바카라사이트 NHS are prioritised.

The science minister also thanked Leyser for her ¡°pivotal work in guiding UKRI through challenging times, notably during 바카라사이트 Covid pandemic and through 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s return to participation in Horizon Europe¡±.

UKRI¡¯s chair Andrew Mackenzie praised Leyser¡¯s ¡°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,¡± he said.

jack.grove@ws-2000.com