BIS appoints Chief Scientific Adviser
Professor Perkins will ensure that the Department’s policies and operations, and its contribution to wider Government issues, are informed by…
Professor Perkins will ensure that the Department’s policies and operations, and its contribution to wider Government issues, are informed by fit-for-purpose science, technology and engineering advice.
Permanent Secretary Martin Donnelly said:
“I warmly welcome Professor Perkins to the Department. The Chief Scientific Adviser is a critical appointment providing BIS with the assurance that our policies and decisions are informed by the best science and engineering evidence.”
Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts said:
“The appointment of Professor Perkins and the additional resources we are allocating to the Office for the Chief Scientist recognises the importance we place on getting robust scientific advice.
“At BIS we are leading work across government to rebalance the economy and support the development of the high-tech industries and jobs of the future. High quality advice is the essential foundation to making good decisions about how to achieve the step change Britain needs.”
Government Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Sir John Beddington said:
“I am delighted that Professor John Perkins has been appointed as the next BIS Chief Scientific Adviser. Professor Perkins’s engineering background and interdisciplinary expertise will help ensure that the Department’s work is supported by robust evidence and technical insight. This is particularly important given the Department’s responsibility for the science and research base and its interests in the development of the cutting edge technologies of the future. I very much look forward to working with him and to welcoming him to the cross-Government network of departmental CSAs.”
Professor Perkins said:
“I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to be the next Chief Scientific Adviser to BIS. I am looking forward to making my contribution to the work of the Department, which is so critically important to the future prosperity of the United Kingdom.”
Notes to editors:
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Professor Perkins takes up his post on 10 January 2012. He succeeds Professor Brian Collins who completed his three-year term in May 2011.
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The post is part-time and Professor Perkins will be working 3 days per week. This enables the post holder to continue working independently in their outside career to encourage sharing of the latest thinking and learning in science and engineering, subject to the usual conflict of interest criteria.
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Prior to this appointment Professor Perkins was Provost at the MASDAR Institute of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi (2009-10) leading the development of this new institution. His distinguished academic career includes service as Vice President and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, The University of Manchester (2004-9); Principal, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College (2001-4) and ICI Australia Professor of Process Systems Engineering, University of Sydney (1985-88). He gained his PhD from Imperial College in 1977. In 2006 he was awarded a CBE for services to science and engineering.
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BIS is strengthening its Office for the Chief Scientist following a review conducted in October 2010. The Office will have additional resources and the Chief Scientific Adviser will in future report directly to the Permanent Secretary. As part of the strengthened Office Dr Rupert Lewis has been appointed to the new full-time role of Deputy Chief Scientific Adviser and BIS Head of Profession for Science and Engineering. Dr Lewis was previously Head of the Evidence and Analysis Team, Adapting to Climate Change at the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
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BIS’s online newsroom contains the latest press notices, speeches, as well as video and images for download. It also features an up to date list of BIS press office contacts. See http://www.bis.gov.uk/newsroom for more information.
Notes to Editors
Contact Information
Name BIS Press Office Job Title
Division COI Phone
Fax
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Email NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Name Michael Gibbs Job Title
Division Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Phone 020 7215 1635 Fax
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