ESRC Chief Operating Officer
Claire Graves is Chief Operating Officer at the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
Claire joined ESRC from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council in August 2020 after holding a range of roles within the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) family. Claire gained a degree and PhD in Geography from University of Leicester.
Prior to joining EPSRC, Claire worked as a postdoctoral researcher both in the UK and in Sweden. Claire is a graduate of the Cabinet Office Project Leadership Programme and has delivered complex change programmes across operations and strategy. She is also an active IPO Gateway Assurance reviewer.
As a member of ESRC Senior Management Team, Claire’s responsibilities include:
- ESRC executive leadership on operational matters such as grants delivery (including applicant-led mode and responsive mode)
- finance and commercial
- HR
- governance
- risk and assurance
- legal
- estates
- project management
- corporate funding services
- information management
- safety
- health and working environment
Claire also works across UKRI to help deliver cross functional priorities and objectives.
Last updated: 14 May 2025