BBSRC Executive

BBSRC’s overall direction, daily operations and budget is overseen by its Executive Leadership Team (ELT).

Their goal is to deliver strategic objectives that are set out in the UKRI strategy 2026 to 2031.

ELT meets every two weeks and comprises the following members:

  • Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith, Executive Chair
  • Dr Penny Owen, Chief Operating Officer
  • Dr Amanda Collis, Executive Director, Strategic Research and International
  • Dr Jef Grainger, Executive Director, Bioscience Advancing Knowledge
  • Dr Karen Lewis, Executive Director, Innovation and Talent
  • Dr Sarah Perkins, Executive Director, Corporate and National Capabilities
  • Zahir Sachak, BBSRC Finance Director

Last updated: 3 August 2026

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