UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is seeking an outstanding individual to become its new Chair.
The successful applicant will play an integral role in guiding the organisation over the next four to five years.
Operating across the whole of the UK with a combined budget of more than £8 billion, UKRI brings together:
- seven research councils
- Innovate UK
- Research England.
The organisation collaborates with universities, research organisations, businesses, charities, and government to create the best possible environment for research and innovation to flourish.
Working with the CEO, the Board and the Executive Chairs, the new Chair will lead UKRI in pursuit of its objectives, ensuring its success, and the UK’s continued leadership globally on research and innovation.
Role and responsibilities
The Chair will be appointed by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
The role is responsible for:
- formulating UKRI strategy. Ensuring progress of a coherent strategic approach across the organisation on cross-cutting research and innovation priorities as well as UKRI and its councils own corporate reform
- working with the CEO to advise the Secretary of State on strategic priorities, the case for investment into BEIS and spending review allocations to UKRI’s councils
- building vital relationships with various partners aimed at realising the potential of UKRI research and business to drive economically beneficial outcomes. In particular engaging with the business and academic communities, government departments, Parliament and relevant all-party groups as well as other public, private and third sector partners. These include those outside of the UK to increase the relevance and economic impact of UKRI’s research
- ensuring the UKRI Board takes proper account of guidance provided by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
- ensuring that there is coordination and cooperation with the Office for Students, the devolved higher education funding bodies and other key partners
- working with the senior independent members of each council to ensure that UKRI’s councils operate effectively and are able to discharge their remits within UKRI.
The successful applicant will take over from outgoing Chair Sir John Kingman, who will step down in May.
The closing date for applications is 3 March 2021.
Top image: Credit: Pheelings Media/GettyImages