How Research England is governed

Research England is governed and supported by a council of leading experts, helping to shape our strategy and overall approach.

The role of the Council is to:

Support the executive chair in ensuring the successful operation of Research England, including setting priorities and activities in line with UKRI’s overall strategy, and considering key risks.
Provide expert advice on the development of Research England’s strategic delivery plan. To monitor, review progress and act as a critical friend.
Provide strategic advice to UKRI on the research and knowledge exchange system of relevance to Research England.
Act as ambassadors and advocates for UKRI and Research England.

Council members

David Sweeney – Executive Chair
Dr Richard Armour – former Secretary-General, University Grants Committee, Hong Kong
Professor Naren Barfield – Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, Royal College of Art
Dr Carol Bell – former Managing Director of the Global Oil & Gas Group at the Chase Manhattan Bank
Kellie Beirne – Director of the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal
Dr Phil Clare – Deputy Director, Research Services (Knowledge Exchange and Engagement), University of Oxford
Professor Nandini Das – Professor of Early Modern Literature and Culture, University of Oxford
Dame Janet Finch – former Vice-Chancellor of Keele University, and Honorary Professor of Sociology, University of Manchester
Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE – CEO and Creator of non-profit Stemettes
Professor Cathy Gormley-Heenan – Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and External Affairs)
Professor Ian Greer FMedSci – President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast
Michael G Rees – Founder of Strategic Vitality
Professor Graeme Reid – Professor of Science and Research Policy, University College London.

Last updated: 10 January 2022