Key facts about the MRC Council
This page gives information on the composition of the MRC’s Council, a brief overview of the Council’s responsibilities, and the code of practice which its members must follow when carrying out these activities.
Council Membership
The MRC’s Council consists of the Chairman, the Chief Executive and Deputy Chairman, and twelve other members. Council members have expertise in scientific research, organisational delivery and governance. See Council Membership for a complete list of members and their profiles.
Council members are appointed by the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills in accordance with the code of practice issued by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The composition of the Council is detailed in the MRC’s Royal Charter, at least 50% of Council members are appointed by reason of their qualifications in science.
Council business
The MRC Council directs and oversees corporate policy and science strategy, ensuring that the MRC is effectively managed, and taking major policy and spending decisions.
The Council decides all issues of major importance including issues of corporate strategy, key strategic objectives and targets, major decisions involving the use of financial and other resources. Council members have a corporate responsibility for ensuring that the Council’s decisions are well founded and comply with any statutory or administrative requirements for the use of public funds.
The Council meets five times a year. The meetings are also attended by a representative of the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and by the MRC’s Chief Operating Officer.
Our Chief Executive is formally accountable, jointly with the Permanent Secretary of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), for the stewardship of the MRC Council’s public funds and is responsible for implementing the Council’s decisions, and for the overall direction, organisation, management and staffing of the MRC.
Code of practice
The Code of Practice for Members of Council and MRC Boards sets out the basis on which members should carry out their responsibilities. On appointment, council and board members agree to abide by the Code of Practice. It takes account of the MRC's characteristics and statutory functions, duties and powers, as laid out in the MRC’s Charter and the Science and Technology Act 1965. The code is reviewed at least every three years; this latest version was approved by the MRC’s Council in March 2010.
Like others who serve the public, individuals working with the MRC need to follow the Seven Principles of Public Life as set out by the Committee on Standards in Public Life (The Nolan Committee). They have to understand fully their terms of appointment, duties and responsibilities, with the help of induction and/or guidance notes. All who advise and make judgements on MRC business and/or members of MRC bodies need to be aware of the MRC policy and declare interests appropriately. The independent scientific reviewers who assess research proposals on behalf of the MRC must also abide by our policy in this area and declare any interests directly to their contact at MRC head office.