Sir John Kingman Announced as Permanent Chair of UKRI from April 2018

Sir John Kingman Announced as Permanent Chair of UKRI from April 2018
Interim chair of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to take up permanent role.

Business Secretary Greg Clark has announced that current interim chair Sir John Kingman will take up the role of permanent chair of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) from April this year. As announced in the Government’s May 2016 higher education and research white paper, Success as a Knowledge Economy, UKRI will be established as a single, strategic body that will bring together the seven Research Councils, Innovate UK and the research funding from Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).

With a combined budget of more than £6 billion, UKRI is expected to be a major voice for research and innovation in the UK and globally, helping implement the Government’s Industrial Strategy. Boosting research and development (R&D) is key to the Industrial Strategy and the Government has committed an increase in R&D investment to 2.4% of GDP by 2027, which could increase public and private R&D investment by as much as £80 billion over the next 10 years.

Commenting on his appointment, Sir John said:

“I am thrilled to have been selected to be chair of UK Research and Innovation. This is a moment of exceptional opportunity – and responsibility – to make best possible use of the very large increases in science and innovation funding committed in the Industrial Strategy. In 18 months as interim chair, robust foundations have been laid for the new organisation: we have recruited a superb chief executive and executive team; a formidable Board; and exceptional new talent into key leadership roles at the research councils. It is a huge privilege to be given the opportunity to continue.”