1 October 2007
The Prime Minister today announced that Professor John Beddington, CMG, FRS, will succeed Sir David King as the Government Chief Scientific Adviser and Head of the Government Office for Science with effect from 1 January 2008.
Professor Beddington is currently Professor of Applied Population Biology at Imperial College London.
Announcing the appointment the Prime Minister said:
"Professor Beddington’s outstanding career in environmental and marine sciences makes him an excellent choice to take on the important role of Government Chief Scientific Adviser. He brings a wealth of experience in the application of science to policy and has a distinguished record as a scientist. I look forward to working with him closely."
Notes for Editors
1. Professor John Beddington is 61. After an early career at the Universities of Edinburgh and York he joined Imperial College, London in 1984 and became Professor of Applied Population Biology there in 1991. He is Chair of Defra’s Science Advisory Council and has served on the Council of the Natural Environment Research Council, as well as holding several other appointments relating to fisheries and conservation. He was made a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2001 and was awarded the CMG in 2004 for services to fisheries science and management.
2. The Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA) is responsible to the Prime Minister and Cabinet for the quality of scientific advice within Government and for providing personal advice to them on scientific and science policy issues. The GCSA also:
- oversees the Government’s Foresight programme and Horizon Scanning Centre
- chairs the Global Science and Innovation Forum which co-ordinates the UK’s international science and innovation strategy and delivery
- co-chairs the Prime Minister’s Council for Science and Technology
- heads the Science and Engineering profession in Government
3. The post is located within the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, whose Secretary of State holds the Cabinet portfolio for UK Science policy.
4. Sir David King’s term of appointment ends on 31 December 2007.
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