New Executive Director announced for UK's national laboratories
6 Aug 2020 02:17 PM
After a rigorous and competitive recruitment exercise STFC Executive Chair, Professor Mark Thomson, today announced the appointment of Dr Alan Partridge as new Executive Director for National Laboratories: Large Scale Facilities.
Dr Partridge an engineering and technology expert, will take up this critical role, delivering and shaping the strategic direction of STFC’S scientific facilities within the National Laboratories.
Professor Mark Thomson said:
“I am very pleased that Alan is joining STFC. He will help to shape STFC’s future priorities and plans and will act as the Head of the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.
“Alan brings substantial expertise to the role with experience working across academia, industry and the public sector and he has well-established networks within UK Government.”
Dr Partridge is joining STFC from Rolls-Royce, where he had held the position of Head of Materials for a number of years, and more recently moved to take on the role of Engineering and Technology Executive for the Rotatives business within the Group's Civil Aerospace division.
Dr Partridge said that he is delighted to be taking up the position at STFC:
“There’s so much to do and no time to waste. I am looking forward to helping STFC continue to strengthen and grow its relationship with both academia and industry.
“I am joining STFC at a critical time for science in the UK and will be doing all that I can to help ensure that the national laboratories play a central role in continuing to build the very best national and international science collaborations.”
Between 2001 and 2011 Dr Partridge worked as Chief Executive Officer for National Metals Technology Centre (NAMTEC), as Chief Executive Officer at Firth Rixson Forgings and as a Technical Director for DERA Farnborough (now QinetiQ).
As a member of the Executive Board, he will also help shape STFC's overall future priorities and plans. Dr Partridge will take up the position on 14 September 2020.