UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has a number of non-executive committees, which are responsible for advising and guiding the UKRI Board and Executive Committee.
Each of the nine councils also has its own Council, which sets the objectives and direction of that council.
Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC)
This committee supports our overall operational performance and offers assurances on governance, risk management, the control environment and the integrity of financial statements. It reports directly to the board.
Current non-executive members:
- Sir Ian Chapman, Chief Executive Officer, UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKRI Board member)
- Christina Coker, UKRI ARAC independent member
- Rita Dhut, Chair of JP Morgan European Growth and Income Plc
- Philip Greenish, UKRI ARAC independent member
- Alison Jarvis, UKRI ARAC independent member
- Karen Kröger, UKRI ARAC independent member
- Russell Schofield-Bezer, Founder and CEO of RSB Advisory Ltd
- Fiona Sheridan, UKRI ARAC independent member
- Ruwan Weerasekera, UKRI ARAC Chair, UKRI Board member
Terms of reference
Nominations and Remuneration Committee (NomCo)
This committee determines the composition and effectiveness of the councils, and the remuneration of the Executive Chairs, CEO, CFO and other senior managers.
Current non-executive members include the following members of the UKRI Board:
- Priya Guha, Venture Partner at Merian Ventures and BIC Chair
- Professor Nola Hewitt-Dundas, Professor of Innovation Management and Policy and Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Queen’s University Belfast
- Sir Andrew Mackenzie, Chair of UKRI, UKRI NomCo Chair
- Nigel Toon, Co-founder, Chair and CEO at Graphcore
- Ruwan Weerasekera, Non-executive Director on the Board of UKRI and Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee
Board Investment Committee (BIC)
BIC is a committee of the UKRI Board. It promotes accountability for financial decision making by the Executive, as well as strengthening the independent challenge provided by the board.
BIC provides additional assurance to the Board and UKRI CEO on UKRI’s large, novel or contentious investments and projects as they progress through the UKRI business case approval process.
Current non-executive members include the following members of the UKRI Board:
- Annie Callanan, CEO of EBSCO Information Services
- Priya Guha, Venture Partner at Merian Ventures and UKRI BIC Chair
- Jane Norman, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Provost at the University of Nottingham
- Nigel Toon, Co-founder, Chair and CEO at Graphcore
Terms of reference
Organisation Change Committee (OCC)
This committee is responsible for supporting the whole UKRI change agenda. This includes the Operating Model, Reforming our Business, and reform of systems. The committee aims to provide support of leadership, systems and practices.
Current non-executive members include the following members of the UKRI Board:
- Nigel Toon, Co-founder, Chair and CEO at Graphcore, UKRI OCC Chair
- Ruwan Weerasekera, Non-executive Director on the Board of UKRI and Chair of ARAC
People, Finance and Operations Committee
The committee provides leadership and oversight in operational strategy and policy. It reports to the Executive Committee.
Strategy Committee
The Strategy Committee advises on the development and implementation of UKRI’s research strategy. It reports to the Executive Committee.
Health and Safety Management Committee
This is the senior governance forum for health and safety within UKRI and is a sub-committee of the Executive Committee.
Last updated: 10 March 2025