• Swindon & Wiltshire Appointments
• Tuesday February 25 2025
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Nuclear energy chief named next CEO of UKRI

The UK’s national funding agency for science and research has appointed the boss of the UK Atomic Energy Authority as its next CEO.

Professor Sir Ian Chapman will replace Dame Henrietta Miriam Ottoline Leyser as CEO of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), which is headquartered in Swindon.

The appointment was announced by the government’s science minister Patrick Vallance, who became a household name during the Covid pandemic.

Sir Ian, who has headed the UKAEA since 2016, will take up the UKRI role in the summer.

“UKRI should be central to the future of the people in this country and beyond. I am excited to be joining an excellent team focused on improving the lives and livelihoods of UK citizens,” he said.

“I was tremendously fortunate to represent UKAEA, an organisation at the forefront of global research and innovation of fusion energy, and I look forward to building on those experiences to enable the wider UK research and innovation sector.”

Lord Vallance added: “Growing the economy is this government’s number one mission and taking full advantage of the innovative ideas, talent and facilities across our country is key to reaching that goal and improving lives across the UK.

“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 the UK’s people and drive our Plan for Change.

“We also thank Dame Ottoline Leyser ahead of her stepping down this summer, recognising her pivotal work in guiding UKRI through challenging times, notably during the Covid pandemic and through the UK’s return to participation in Horizon Europe.”

Sir Ian is currently a member of the UKRI Board, a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and an elected Fellow of the Royal Society.

With a budget of £8.9 billion, UKRI is based at Polaris House in Swindon and employs 8,000 people across the UK. It has nine research councils, including Innovate UK, which provides money and support to organisations to make new products and services.