New STFC Council announced

23 Mar 2018 12:49 PM

The Board of UK Research and Innovation has confirmed the appointment of STFC’s new Council – the senior strategic advisory body of the organisation.

The Council comes into effect with the launch of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) on 1 April 2018.

The members of the Council will be as follows:

• Professor Isabelle Baraffe, Chair in Astrophysics, University of Exeter, University of Exeter
  Term 3 years
   
• Professor Mike Dunne, Director, Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS), Stanford University, USA
  Term 4 years
   
• Mr Dick Elsy CEO, High Value Manufacturing Catapult
  Term 3 years
   
• Professor Karen Holford^, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Cardiff and current STFC Council member
  Term 2 years
   
• Professor Richard Kenway^, Vice-Principal, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh and current STFC Council member. Will be Senior Independent Member
  Term 2 Years
   
• Professor Anupam Ojha, Director (Education and Space Communications, National Space Academy), National Space Centre
  Term 4 years
   
• Professor David Price^, Vice-Provost (Research) and Professor of Mineral Physics, UCL and current STFC Council member
  Term 1 year
   
• Professor Sheila Rowan, Director Institute for Gravitational Research, University of Glasgow and Chief Scientific Adviser to the Scottish Government
  Term 4 years
   
• Professor David Rugg, Senior Research Manager, Rolls-Royce
  Term 4 years
   
• Professor Tony Ryan^, Professor of Physical Chemistry and Director of Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures, University of Sheffield and current STFC Council member
  Term 2 years
   
• Dr Frances Saunders, Ex CEO Defence Science and Technology Laboratory & Ex-President Institute of Physics
  Term 3 years

The STFC Council will work with new STFC Executive Chair Professor Mark Thomson to deliver STFC’s aims and objectives and to support UKRI's overall mission to maintain the UK’s world-leading position in research and innovation. The Council will be responsible for advising and making decisions, as delegated to it by the UK Research and Innovation Board, on scientific, research and innovation matters. Welcoming the announcement, STFC Executive Chair Designate said of the appointments, “I am delighted to welcome the members of the new STFC Council. Their expertise and experience will be invaluable for STFC and will enable STFC to continue to deliver and support world-class research innovation and skills. I would also like to express my thanks to Professor Sir Mike Sterling (Chair) and the members of STFC’s previous Council for all their support and hard work for STFC.”

The members announced recently reflect the diversity of communities that they represent including higher education, industry, policy and civil society.

All members will take up their positions from 1 April 2018. The members of the Council will serve terms of between one and four years. These staggered terms will balance continuity with evolving membership of the council in future.

Notes for Editors:

• The appointments to Councils are made in accordance with the Code of the Commissioner for Public Appointments
• All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public. No political activity has been declared by any appointee
• Appointees each receive an annual remuneration of £6,850 for their position on Council
• None of the appointees currently holds any ministerial public appointment
• Under the HER Act each of the nine Councils within UK Research and Innovation has a Council comprising the Executive Chair and between 5-12 ordinary members. Council members are appointed by the UK Research and Innovation Board in consultation with the relevant Executive Chair. The Secretary of State may appoint one of the members, and is entitled to attend any Council meeting (or nominate a representative to attend)
• Senior Independent Member: One member will be appointed as Senior Independent Member with a direct communication channel to the Board and Chief Executive
• Councils will want to call on the best expertise and advice as required to fulfil their functions. As such, UK Research and Innovation will ask Civil servants (including but not limited to Chief Scientific Advisors), to join the council in a personal capacity.
• ^ Members previously served as a member of the research council.