Professor Smith will succeed Professor Dame Jessica Corner who steps down from the role in January 2027.
Research England is responsible for investing in research and knowledge exchange in higher education institutions across England and has a budget of £2.5 billion each year.
In addition, they operate funding programmes across the UK and collaborate closely with partners in the devolved administrations.
Professor Smith is currently Executive Chair of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), a post he has held since 2020.
Together with the existing Research England Executive Chair functions, Christopher will retain responsibility for:
- international partnerships
- talent and skills
- research and innovation culture and environment
A respected voice in the community
Science minister Chris McDonald said:
Christopher has long been a respected voice in the academic community and tireless in his support for the arts and humanities in his role at AHRC.
He will continue to make a valuable contribution to the world class research taking place in the UK as Executive Chair of Research England, building on the work of Dame Jessica Corner during her time in the role.
An excellent champion
UKRI CEO Professor Sir Ian Chapman said:
I am delighted to continue working with Christopher in his new role.
He has been an excellent champion for arts and humanities, and I know he will bring the same expertise, energy and commitment to his new role for Research England.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Professor Dame Jessica Corner for her tremendous stewardship of Research England, and her contribution, insight and input into UKRI’s development in recent years.
Vital next stage of development
Professor Christopher Smith said:
I am excited to have the opportunity to lead Research England into a vital next stage of its development, aligned to UKRI’s new strategic vision, and building on Jessica’s exceptional period of leadership in higher education nationally and globally.
The post is subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee, which is expected to take place later in November.
An appointment process for a new Executive Chair of AHRC is likely to launch in early December.