UKRI Chief Executive
Sir Ian Chapman. Credit: UK Atomic Energy Authority
Professor Sir Ian Chapman is the Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
He was a member of the UKRI Board from February 2024 until February 2025, when he was announced as the incoming UKRI Chief Executive and became an observer on the board.
Ian rejoined the UKRI Board as UKRI CEO on 20 August 2025.
Before joining UKRI Ian was Chief Executive of the UK Atomic Energy Authority. It leads the world in fusion research with a wide range of programmes covering plasma science, robotics, materials testing and development, and tritium science.
He has held several international roles in fusion, including chairing the International Atomic Energy Agency International Fusion Research Committee.
His research has been recognised with multiple international awards, including:
- the Institute of Physics Paterson Medal in 2013
- the American Physical Society Stix Award in 2017
- the Royal Society Kavli Medal in 2019
- the Institute of Physics Glazebrook Medal for leadership in 2021
He was made a Fellow of the Institute of Physics in 2013, became a visiting Professor at Durham University in 2015 and was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2022.
In 2023, he was knighted in the King’s New Year Honours, made an Honorary Fellow of the Nuclear Institute and elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.
Last updated: 20 August 2025