Professor Jacob George has been appointed as the first Chief
Medical and Scientific Officer for the Medicines and Healthcare
products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). This is a pivotal role that
will drive scientific excellence and shape the future of
regulation through the MHRA science strategy.
Prof George is currently Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine and
Therapeutics at the University of Dundee Medical School, and
consultant physician and clinical lead for the Cardiovascular
Risk service in NHS Tayside. He is qualified in Clinical
Pharmacology and General Internal Medicine and is an accredited
European Hypertension Specialist.
MHRA Chair Professor Anthony Harnden said:
‘The MHRA plays a critical role in safeguarding public health and
accelerating access to innovation. Professor George brings a
wealth of experience in clinical practice and academia, which
will be invaluable in taking forward our work to protect and
promote public health, ensuring people have confidence in their
medicines and healthcare products.'
Lawrence Tallon, MHRA Chief Executive, said:
‘I know that Professor George will be a prominent voice
for the MHRA, championing effective regulation, patient
safety, and the UK's position as a global life sciences
powerhouse. His responsibilities will include leading our
Science Campus, and our science and innovation strategies.
Prof Jacob George said:
‘I'm delighted to be joining the MHRA at an important time for
the agency and the UK life sciences sector. The MHRA has a direct
influence on the safety and effectiveness of the medicines,
vaccines, and health technologies used every day by millions of
people across the UK, and I'm looking forward to working with
colleagues to make a major contribution to high quality patient
care and life sciences innovation.'
Prof George has extensive UK and international experience and is
a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians Edinburgh, European
Society of Cardiology and the British Hypertension Society, as
well as visiting Professor at the Dnipro State Medical
University, Ukraine. He is an alumnus of the Universities of
Sheffield and Dundee.
His clinical interest is in managing patients with high
cardiovascular risk and his research interests have focused on
managing cardiovascular risk factors such as left ventricular
hypertrophy, salt and smoking/vaping. Prof George also chairs the
Scottish Government Access to New Medicines, Horizon Scanning
Advisory Board (HSAB), and is National Clinical Lead for the
Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC).
He is a member of the Delivery Group and Management Board for the
Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP), the current
Co-Chair on the National Institutes of Health Research (NIHR)
Capital Investment Funding Committee and has been Senior Health
Technology Advisor to NICE. In 2017, he was appointed by the
Minister of Health, Malaysia as an International Expert Advisory
Member of the Malaysian Scientific Review Panel for Phase I
Clinical Trials and continues in this role.
Prof George will join the MHRA on 5 January 2026 and will work
from the MHRA's London office and its science campus in
Hertfordshire, while retaining his home base in Scotland,
supporting the MHRA's strong commitment to being a visible
regulator in all four nations.
Professor Nigel Seaton, Interim Principal and
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dundee, said:
‘This is a hugely significant appointment and I would like to
congratulate Professor George on his new role. Professor George
has been at the forefront of some of our most exciting research
and this new role reflects the high esteem in which he is held
throughout the University.
‘Not only does this news reflect positively on Professor George
as an individual, but his appointment also highlights the prowess
of staff across our School of Medicine and cements the University
of Dundee as a centre of excellence for medical training and
research.'
Dr James Cotton, Executive Medical Director for NHS
Tayside, said:
‘It is a great achievement for Professor George to be appointed
as the MHRA's first Chief Medical and Scientific Officer.
His leadership, clinical experience and commitment to innovation
have had a significant impact on patient care, and we are proud
to see his expertise recognised at a national level.'
The Scottish Health Secretary said:
‘I welcome the appointment of Professor Jacob George as the first
Chief Medical and Scientific Officer for the Medicines and
Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
‘Professor George has made an exceptional contribution to
cardiovascular medicine in Scotland through combining academic
excellence with frontline clinical leadership to improve outcomes
for patients. He brings a wealth of experience to the role and I
wish him every success.'
