Science Minister Lord Vallance has announced that Professor Sir Ian Chapman will be the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). He will succeed Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, who confirmed in January 2024 that she would not seek a second term when her five-year secondment ends in June 2024. Professor Sir Ian Chapman will officially take on the role this summer.
Currently, Sir Ian is the CEO of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), a position he has held since October 2016. He also serves as a member of the UKRI Board. His leadership in fusion energy research has earned him recognition through multiple international awards, including the Institute of Physics Paterson Medal (2013), the American Physical Society Stix Award (2017), and the Royal Society Kavli Medal (2019). In 2023, Sir Ian was knighted in the King’s New Year’s Honours and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.
Sir Ian's extensive background in scientific leadership, especially in the field of fusion energy, has established him as a prominent figure in the UK’s research landscape. He has also chaired the International Atomic Energy Agency’s International Fusion Research Committee and became a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2022.
UKRI has outlined transition plans to ensure continuity of leadership between Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser’s departure and Sir Ian’s appointment.
Sir Ian’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for UKRI, as he brings a wealth of expertise and an outstanding track record in both leadership and research innovation.
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