Appointments at the Medical Research Council
The Science and Innovation Minister Lord Sainsbury has appointed Professor Christopher Kennard to the Council of the MRC. Professor Kennard will also take the new role as chair of the Neuroscience and Mental Health Board. Professor Kennard is the Deputy Principal of the Faculty of Medicine and head of the Department of Clinical Neuroscience at Imperial College London and has been Professor of Clinical Neurology in the University of London since 1991. His research interests cover various aspects of cognitive neuroscience, relating to visual and oculomotor function.
The Neuroscience and Mental Health Board is made up of international scientific leaders in this area. Professor Kennard's role will be to chair the group and oversee funding decisions of awards of grants to scientists in this field. He will be responsible for overseeing the management and development of the board's scientific portfolio. His appointment is from 1 August 2006 to 31 March 2010.
A similar role will once again be played by Professor David Armstrong who has been reappointed to Council and as chair of the Health Services and Public Health Research Board. David Armstrong is Professor of Medicine and Sociology in King's College London School of Medicine. His research interests embrace health services research, especially in primary care, and the sociology of medical knowledge. His re-appointment is from 1 August 2006 to 31 March 2009.
Sir Anthony Cleaver, Chairman of the MRC, said: "I am very pleased to welcome Professor Kennard to the Medical Research Council. Professor Kennard will be a huge asset to the MRC. His knowledge of research strategies and expertise in clinical medicine will be of enormous benefit. Professor David Armstrong will continue to bring a wealth of knowledge about primary care and public health."
For more information please contact the MRC press office on 020 7637 6011, press.office@headoffice.mrc.ac.uk
Notes to editors
The MRC is a national organisation funded by the UK taxpayer. 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. The MRC, guided by its Boards and other stakeholders decides what medical science it should fund to deliver its Charter objectives and its mission.
The MRC Council is the governing body responsible for determining the strategy and policy of the MRC. Members receive an honorarium of £6,280 each year. Professor Kennard will receive a remuneration of £8,370 in recognition of his additional duties as Chair of the Neuroscience and Mental Health Board. Professor Armstrong will receive the same amount because he will chair the Health Services and Public Health Research Board. Appointments are made in accordance with OCPA Code of Practice. All appointments have been made on the basis of merit. In accordance with Nolan recommendations there is a requirement for appointees' political activity to be made public. The appointees have not been involved in any relevant political activity in the last five years. Neither of them has declared other miniterial appointments.
It aims to improve human health. The research it supports and the scientists it trains meet the needs of the health services, the pharmaceutical and other health-related industries and universities. The MRC has funded work which has led to some of the most significant discoveries and achievements in medicine in the UK.
