Vince Cable appoints next Science and Technology Facilities Council Chief Executive
Vince Cable said: “I am delighted to welcome Professor Womersley as the next Chief Executive of the Science and Technology Facilities Council…
Vince Cable said:
“I am delighted to welcome Professor Womersley as the next Chief Executive of the Science and Technology Facilities Council. His strong and internationally respected record of scientific leadership will make him a great asset to the Council.
“The STFC is at the forefront of international science. It plays a vital role in addressing the fundamental challenges of particle physics and astronomy, as well as making significant contributions to areas such as novel materials, medical research and computing which help the UK achieve our economic and social goals.”
Professor John Womersley said:
“I am delighted to be appointed as the next STFC Chief Executive and to have the opportunity to lead the organisation over the coming years. The STFC supports an inspiring portfolio of fundamental and applied research, enlarging and enriching our understanding of the world around us while helping the United Kingdom to prosper in the global knowledge economy and addressing the major challenges facing the world through science and innovation. The STFC’s world-leading facilities and outstanding staff together provide the best possible platform for academia, research institutes and business to work more effectively and collaboratively.”
Professor Michael Sterling, STFC Chair, said:
“We are very pleased that Professor Womersley will be leading the STFC over the next four years. He has the experience and skills to lead the organisation through the challenges ahead and ensure that the UK continues to benefit from world-leading scientific facilities.”
The appointment is for four years. Professor Womersley will take up post on 1 November 2011 as successor to Professor Keith Mason who is moving on to the UK Space Agency to advise on steps needed to leverage the research base to maximise the economic growth of the space sector.
Note to editors
-
Professor Womersley’s appointment has been made following an open competition.
-
Professor Womersley is currently STFC’s Director of Science Programmes. Professor Womersley received his doctorate in Particle Physics from Oxford University. Subsequently he worked for the University of Florida, Florida State University, and the Superconducting Supercollider in Texas. He later moved to Fermilab in Illinois, and from 1999 was co-spokesperson of the D-Zero experiment. He has also worked in Washington with the Office of High Energy Physics on the future particle physics programme. In 2005 he moved to the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory to become director of Particle Physics. He was appointed STFC’s Director of Science Strategy in 2007.
-
The STFC is an independent, non-departmental public body of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
-
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
Mobile
Email NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Name Sally Catmull Job Title
Division Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Phone 020 7215 6577 Fax
Mobile