Esteemed scientist and academic leader Sir Leszek Borysiewicz named as government’s preferred candidate for UKRI Chair

Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has named Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz as the government’s preferred candidate for Chair of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

He will assist steer UKRI as it helps analysis and innovation throughout the UK, serving to to make sure public funding drives financial development, strengthens the UK’s world competitiveness and improves lives.

Sir Leszek has held senior management roles throughout analysis, drugs and greater schooling. He served as Chair of Cancer Research UK from 2016 to 2023, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge from 2010 to 2017, and Chief Executive of the Medical Research Council from 2007 to 2010.

Last yr, he was awarded a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire for companies to most cancers analysis, scientific analysis, drugs and charities.

Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall stated:

Britain’s researchers and innovators are certainly one of our best strengths, and their discoveries are remodeling every thing from well being and clear vitality, to how we work and hold our nation protected. UKRI has an important position in backing their work so it delivers for the entire nation.

Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz will assist guarantee our file public funding in analysis and innovation helps financial development, backs the industries of the long run and improves lives throughout the UK.

Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz stated:

I’m delighted to be the preferred candidate as Chair of UKRI to assist the UK effort to advertise development as properly as being a global leader throughout the entire spectrum of analysis and innovation.  

I look ahead to partaking with the myriad of analysis communities in all sectors, as properly as supporting UKRI in delivering this thrilling agenda of driving financial development, strengthening the UK’s world competitiveness and bettering lives.

UKRI is the UK’s largest public funder of analysis and innovation, investing £9 billion annually on behalf of the federal government. It brings collectively the 7 analysis councils, Innovate UK and Research England, and is growing a brand new technique, resulting from launch this summer season, setting out the way it will advance information, enhance lives and drive development.

Sir Leszek is predicted to take up the position later this summer season and will succeed the present UKRI Chair, Sir Andrew Mackenzie. The Science and Technology Secretary thanks Sir Andrew for sturdy and regular management during the last 5 years, the place he has championed prioritisation, effectivity and worth for cash and maintained assist throughout Parliament, authorities and the analysis neighborhood.

UKRI CEO Professor Sir Ian Chapman stated:

Borys’s depth of data, expertise and management can be of big worth to UKRI as we search to ship for the UK’s public on our mission to advance information, change lives and drive development. I’m very a lot wanting ahead to working with him to grasp our shared ambition for UKRI.

I might additionally prefer to thank Sir Andrew Mackenzie for his service as Chair of UKRI. It has been a pleasure working with him and I want Andrew the very best for the long run.

Outgoing UKRI Chair Sir Andrew Mackenzie stated:

Borys is an excellent alternative. He is a massively skilled and admired leader within the R&I neighborhood who will tremendously strengthen UKRI’s governance, key relationships, and influence. The position of UKRI Chair is a particularly fulfilling privilege: it’s an actual pleasure to move it on to such good fingers as his.

The publish is topic to pre-appointment scrutiny by the House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee which is predicted to happen in April.