Reappointment of chief executive of the Medical Research Council announced

Reappointment of chief executive of the Medical Research Council announced

Universities and Science Minister Jo Johnson announced in November the reappointment of Professor Sir John Savill as chief executive of the Medical Research Council (MRC).

Universities and Science Minister Jo Johnson said: “I am very pleased to reappoint Sir John Savill for a further term as chief executive of the MRC. With his extensive experience as a highly-regarded clinician and academic scientist he will continue to bring strong leadership to the MRC and its aim to support the UK’s world-leading medical science.”

Donald Brydon, chair of the MRC said: “Sir John has been an outstanding Chief Executive of the MRC and I am delighted that his term of office has been extended. His focus on measuring the benefits of research and his clarity of strategy have helped maintain Britain’s leading position in medical research.

Sir John Savill said: “There has never been a more exciting time in UK medical research, with partnership initiatives such as the Farr and Crick Institutes promising remarkable long-term gains in health and wealth. It will be a privilege to serve the MRC as it works with patients, investigators, funders, industry and government to discover new approaches to the grand challenges faced by our society.”

The appointment is from 1 April 2016 until 30 September 2018.

The MRC is a national funding agency dedicated to improving human health by supporting research across the entire spectrum of medical sciences. In the 2015 Spending Review, the government protected science funding of £4.7 billion in real terms over the Parliament. This will include a new £1.5 billion Global Challenges Fund.

Source: www.gov.uk

Staff Writer