Business Secretary has selected leading businessman and scientist Sir
Andrew Mackenzie as the preferred candidate for chair of UK
Research and Innovation.
Sir Andrew has an impressive background in both science and
business. Building upon a successful early career as an academic
geochemist, he moved into industry and was Chief Executive of
BHP, a world-leading mining company, from 2013 to 2020. He is now
Company Chair of Shell.
Business Secretary said:
Sir Andrew’s impressive track record at the top tier of
business will offer UKRI the strong,
commercially-minded leadership it needs to cement our position
as a global science superpower. I look forward to working
closely with Sir Andrew as we unleash the firepower of
UKRI to drive
an innovation-led recovery across the United Kingdom.
I’d also like to thank the outgoing chair, Sir John Kingman,
for leaving an excellent legacy to build upon as we move
forward.
Sir Andrew MacKenzie said:
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored our dependence on
research and innovation, and the exceptional contribution the
UK has made to solutions the world can embrace. Meanwhile we
continue to address the enormous challenge of climate change
which will define our generation and the world we leave for our
children.
I am honoured to be offered the opportunity to help guide the
work of UKRI
and steward the extraordinary talent available in our
universities, research institutions, charities, business and
governments across the UK.
Last year, Sir Andrew was knighted for his services to business,
science, technology, and Anglo-Australian relations. He was
elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 2014.
Sir Andrew will be tasked with keeping the UK at the forefront of
research and innovation to tackle the biggest industrial and
societal challenges facing the world today and to help create the
successful British companies of the future.
Sir Andrew will also work with UKRI’s Chief Executive, Chief
Finance Officer, and councils to oversee the organisation’s
funding programmes and research infrastructure.
UKRI aims to
create an outstanding research and innovation system that gives
everyone the opportunity to contribute and benefit. It is the
UK’s primary public funding body for research and innovation,
with a budget of £7.9 billion for the 2021 to 2022 financial
year.
Sir Andrew is due to succeed the current UKRI Chair, Sir John Kingman,
who announced his intention to step down in September last year.
Sir Andrew is expected to take over this summer.
The post of UKRI
chair could be subject to a pre-appointment hearing by the House
of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee. The Committee
will consider this in due course.
