New appointment to the Medical Research Council
22 March 2005
Science and Innovation Minister Lord Sainsbury today announced the appointment of Mr Michael Brooks to the Medical Research Council (MRC). Mr Brooks will take up the role of lay Council member with financial expertise on 1 April.
Mr Brooks has been appointed for a period of four years to 31 March 2009. Mr Brooks has spent most of his career as a financial manager in the international oil and gas industry, including twenty years in the Royal Dutch/Shell Group. Since 1999, he has been a financial management consultant and interim manager and has undertaken a series of identified assignments, most recently for three years as finance director of Trinity Energy Ltd, an independent UK-based oil and gas exploration and production company.
Sir Anthony Cleaver, Chairman of the MRC, said:
"I am very pleased to welcome Mr Brooks to the Medical Research Council. Mr Brooks will undoubtedly make a valuable contribution to the work of the Council, where his commercial, financial and corporate governance expertise will be of particular benefit."
For more information contact the MRC Press Office on 020 7637 6011.
Notes to Editors
The MRC is a non-departmental public body, established by Royal Charter and funded mainly by a grant from the UK Government. Accountable to Parliament, the MRC reports to the Office of Science and Innovation. MRC, guided by its Boards and other stakeholders decides what medical science it should fund to deliver its Charter objectives and its mission.
The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry appoints members to the Council after considering advice from the Appointments Panel. All appointments to the MRC are made in accordance with the requirements of the Code of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. In accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees' political activity (if any declared) to be made public: Mr Brooks has not been involved in any relevant political activities in the last five years. Mr Brooks has no other Ministerial appointments.
Appointments to MRC Council are part-time, for which an honorarium of £6,120 per annum is currently paid (£8,160 per annum for those members who chair MRC Research Boards). Travel and subsistence expenses (including childcare costs) are also reimbursed. Council members contribute according to their experience and abilities through Council Advisory Committees. Members are expected to commit 20 - 25 days a year to Council business.
Members have a duty to bring an independent judgement to bear on Council business and are expected to observe the highest standards of personal honesty and integrity. Members are expected to adhere to the MRC’s Code of Best Practice for Council Members, which sets out for example rules on the acceptance of gifts and hospitality and on declaring conflicts of interest.
