New chair of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council appointed
Sir Gordon Duff appointed as the new chair of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.
Universities, Science and Cities Minister Greg Clark today (26 March 2015) announced the appointment of Sir Gordon Duff as the new chair of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).
Sir Gordon Duff will succeed Sir Tom Blundell on 1 July 2015. The appointment will last for 4 years.
Universities, Science and Cities Minister Greg Clark said:
Sir Gordon Duff brings a depth of knowledge and experience at a senior level in both academia and medical regulation which will serve him well in his leadership of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, and I wish him well in the role.
I thank Sir Tom Blundell for his hard work and dedication as Chairman of BBSRC over the last 6 years.
Sir Gordon Duff said:
I am delighted with this appointment and look forward to working with BBSRC colleagues to support the best research in agriculture, food, energy and health - key areas that underpin the UK’s expanding bioeconomy, bringing benefits to all.
Notes to editors:
- This appointment has been made in accordance with the requirements of 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 Nolan recommendations there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity to be made public. Sir Gordon Duff has not been involved in any relevant political activities in the last 5 years. He will receive an honorarium of £16,340 per year.
- Sir Gordon is Principal, St Hilda’s College Oxford. He chairs the Strategic Partners Board of the Imperial Academic Health Science Centre. He also chairs the Medical Research Council-National Institute of Health Research’s National Phenome Centre (Imperial College), the Scientific Advisory Board of the MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science (Liverpool) and the Scientific Advisory Board of Interleukin Genetics Inc, Boston. He also serves on the International Scientific Advisory Board of the Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics at the University of Pennsylvania. He was previously Chair of the MHRA (UK national regulator of medicines and medical devices). The former BBSRC Chair, Sir Tom Blundell, will step down at the end of June 2015.
- The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) invests in world-class bioscience research and training on behalf of the UK public. Its aim is to further scientific knowledge, to promote economic growth, wealth and job creation and to improve quality of life in the UK and beyond. Funded by government and with an annual budget of around £484 million (2013 to 2014), it supports research and training in universities and strategically funded institutes. BBSRC research and the people it funds are helping society to meet major challenges, including food security, green energy and healthier, longer lives. Its investments underpin important UK economic sectors, such as farming, food, industrial biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.