MRC Head Office
The day-to-day management of the MRC is overseen by our Management Board at MRC head office in central London. This page outlines the role of the Management Board and gives a brief overview of the areas of work that each member of the Management Board is responsible for.
Role of the Management Board
The MRC Management Board is a decision-making body and discussion forum chaired by the Chief Executive.
The terms of reference for this Board are to manage operations where policy and decisions have major importance for the delivery of the MRC’s objectives and/or for our key stakeholder relationships.
The main areas of responsibility are to:
- Monitor the MRC’s performance and delivery and to determine control strategies to mitigate risks
- Take policy/operational decisions or make recommendations to the Council where authority rests with the latter
- Exchange, generate and develop ideas and provide advice as appropriate
Members of the Management Board
Members of the Management Board are:
- Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Strategy
- Chief Operating and Finance Officer
- Corporate Affairs Group Director
- Finance Director
- Major Projects Director
- Group HR Director
- Director, Research Programmes
Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Strategy
Wendy Ewart
- Deputises for Sir John Savill as required.
- Develops and communicates the MRC’s research strategy and its impact.
- Directs the overall approach to planning and evaluation across the MRC.
- Directs international policy, including global health.
Chief Operating and Finance Officer
Bruce Minty
- Responsible for managing financial risk
- Responsible for the delivery of operational corporate functions, including acting as Chair for the MRC’s Operations Board.
- Ensures that the MRC’s research programmes are provided with adequate operational support.
Corporate Affairs Group Director
Tony Peatfield
- Plans and delivers a programme of communication and public affairs activities to foster dialogue with the public and other stakeholder groups, show the link between medical research and health, and facilitates our scientists’ public engagement work.
- Leads the development of MRC corporate governance.
- Provides a focus for national policy development, including legislation, research ethics, and associated networking with and influencing of key external stakeholders.
Finance Director
Hugh Dunlop
- Responsible for financial strategy and planning; for monitoring, controlling and accounting for expenditure and resources.
- Provides information and advice to assist corporate decision-making.
Major Projects Director
Sandy Bulger
- Responsible for the delivery of major projects for the MRC, including ensuring that MRC investment in major capital construction projects is managed effectively.
- Leads the operational delivery of the new facility for the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge; MRC contribution to the delivery of the UKCMRI programme; and other capital projects.
Group HR Director
Ted Smith
- Develops and implements strategy and policies relating to the employment, performance, training, remuneration and health and safety of staff working in MRC units and institutes.
- Responsible for corporate HR policies relating to the wider scientific community.
Director, Research Programmes
Declan Mulkeen
- The MRC’s main interface with the scientific community and with the Health Departments and the NHS.
- Manages MRC research strategy development and processes for stimulating research proposals in priority areas.
- Delivers the MRC’s research strategy including managing demand, assessing proposals, making and managing awards.
- Manages the MRC’s investment in research training and career development for scientists.
- Takes a lead in developing ethics and research governance.
- Provides scientific intelligence and advice - both to external stakeholders and within the MRC.