MRC welcomes its new chairman
8 May 2006
The Medical Research Council has welcomed the government’s appointment of Sir John Chisholm, the executive chairman of QinetiQ, as its new chairman. Sir John is widely credited with transforming QinetiQ from a collection of research laboratories into a highly successful commercial business which floated on the London Stock Exchange in February 2006. Sir John will take up the role in October for four years.
Sir John will succeed Sir Anthony Cleaver who has been chairman of the MRC since 1998.
The chief executive of the Medical Research Council, Colin Blakemore paid tribute to the work carried out by Sir Anthony Cleaver: “Sir Anthony has overseen the governance of the Medical Research Council with diplomacy, wisdom and skill. His wise stewardship has been widely appreciated across MRC and among our key stakeholders. He has provided a steady hand during times of change at the MRC. He will be missed and we wish him well for the future.”
Colin Blakemore also welcomed the appointment of Sir John Chisholm: “Sir John’s passion in promoting the value of research will be invaluable to the Medical Research Council as we enter a further period of change. The plans to bring together the funding for the Medical Research Council and the Department of Health’s R and D programme have enormous potential to improve healthcare provision and the economic excellence of the UK. The tenacity and vision that Sir John has shown through his career will help us to mould a bright future for medical research in the UK.”
Sir Anthony Cleaver said: “I’m pleased to be handing over to Sir John, who is a strong advocate for research. My tenure as chairman of the MRC has seen government investment in research increase substantially. Medical research in the UK is in robust shape. The MRC continues to demonstrate its agility - taking tough decisions and responding quickly to new health challenges but without compromising international standards of excellence in the research it funds. I believe it is vital that scientists continue to be given the support and freedom to innovate with the ultimate goal of benefiting human health.”
Sir John said: “The MRC richly deserves its world reputation for discovery in medical science and for the benefits that have flowed from this to millions of patients throughout the world. I am passionately committed to ensuring that research in the UK continues to thrive, and I look forward to building on Sir Anthony’s excellent work by helping to realise the maximum potential from the UK’s medical research.”
For more information please contact the MRC press office on 020 7637 6011.
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