Press release

MHCLG announces Chief Scientific Adviser appointment

A new Chief Scientific Adviser has been appointed at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Alan Penn

Following a rigorous recruitment campaign Professor Alan Penn has been appointed to the role. Professor Penn is Professor in Architectural and Urban Computing at UCL and due to step down as Dean of the Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment.

In this role Professor Penn will offer advice to the ministry, including to the Building Safety Programme which was set up following the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

Commenting on his appointment Professor Alan Penn said:

There has never been a more important time at which to bring evidence and analysis to inform the decisions that government must make as we work to decarbonise and build safe, thriving and inclusive communities. I am really looking forward to taking on the role of Chief Scientific Adviser at MHCLG and helping to bring this about.

The team of government chief scientific advisers aim to ensure, through advising ministers and senior officials, policy decisions are evidence-based and supported by the highest-quality scientific evidence and understanding.

Office address and general enquiries

2 Marsham Street
London

SW1P 4DF

If your enquiry is related to COVID-19 please check our guidance page first before you contact us - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-local-government.

If you still need to contact us please use the contact form above to get in touch, because of coronavirus (COVID-19). If you send it by post it will not receive a reply within normal timescale.

Media enquiries

Published 2 July 2019