He will succeed Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser who announced in January 2024 that she would not seek a second term of office when her five year secondment comes to an end in June. Sir Ian will start his new role on a permanent basis this summer.
Professor Sir Ian Chapman is the CEO of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA). He is currently a member of the UKRI Board, a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and an elected Fellow of the Royal Society.
Leading ambitious, curiosity-driven research
Science Minister, Lord Vallance, said:
Growing the economy is this government’s number one mission and taking full advantage of the innovative ideas, talent and facilities across our country is key to reaching that goal and improving lives across the UK.
Sir Ian’s leadership experience, scientific expertise and academic achievements make him an exceptionally strong candidate to lead UKRI in pursuing ambitious, curiosity-driven research, as well as innovations that will unlock new benefits for the UK’s people and drive our Plan for Change.
We also thank Dame Ottoline Leyser ahead of her stepping down this summer, recognising her pivotal work in guiding UKRI through challenging times, notably during the Covid pandemic and through the UK’s return to participation in Horizon Europe.
Fundamental to UK growth
UKRI Chairman, Sir Andrew Mackenzie, said:
The board and I are delighted that Ian will become UKRI’s next CEO in the summer.
Research and Innovation are fundamental to UK growth. Ian has the skills, experience, leadership and commitment to unlock this opportunity to improve the lives and livelihoods of everyone. We look forward to working with him on the next phase of UKRI’s development and our stewardship of the UK’s innovation culture and systems.
We thank Ottoline for an outstanding five years as UKRI’s CEO. She has delivered a step-change in operational effectiveness and cross-discipline work through collective and inclusive leadership, and secured more social and commercial impacts from our investments.
Improving the lives and livelihoods of UK citizens
Professor Sir Ian Chapman said:
UKRI should be central to the future of the people in this country and beyond. I am excited to be joining an excellent team focused on improving the lives and livelihoods of UK citizens.
I was tremendously fortunate to represent UKAEA, an organisation at the forefront of global research and innovation of fusion energy, and I look forward to building on those experiences to enable the wider UK research and innovation sector.
Exceptional research and leadership experience
Current UKRI CEO, Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, said:
I’m delighted that Sir Ian will be taking over as UKRI’s CEO later this year. He will bring exceptional research and leadership experience, and detailed knowledge of UKRI from his service on our Board. This will ensure that UKRI maintains momentum at this critical time for research and innovation in the UK.
Leading UKRI over the past five years has been a huge honour. I have enjoyed discussing an extraordinary range of ideas with an equally extraordinary range of people across the UK and beyond. I am incredibly lucky to have worked with UKRI’s dedicated staff, who bring such an impressive breadth and depth of expertise to serve the UK’s research and innovation system.
I am proud to have led an organisation, alongside UKRI’s nine Executive Chairs and our Operational Leaders, fostering an outstanding research and innovation system for the UK, that gives everyone the opportunity to contribute and to benefit, enriching lives locally, nationally and globally.
UKRI is an internationally recognised strength for the UK, and I look forward to seeing it continue to rise to the challenges and capture the opportunities ahead.
Transition arrangements
The CEO is supported by an excellent team at UKRI. Transition arrangements will be finalised over the next few weeks, to cover the gap between Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser leaving and Professor Sir Ian Chapman joining.
About Professor Sir Ian Chapman
Professor Sir Ian Chapman will take up the role of CEO in summer 2025. He is currently a member of the UKRI Board.
He is currently CEO of the UK Atomic Energy Authority, a post he took up in October 2016. He has held a number of international roles in fusion, including chairing the International Atomic Energy Agency International Fusion Research Committee.
His research has been recognised with a number of international awards, including:
- the Institute of Physics Paterson Medal in 2013
- the American Physical Society Stix Award in 2017
- the Royal Society Kavli Medal in 2019
- the Institute of Physics Glazebrook Medal for leadership in 2021
He was made a Fellow of the Institute of Physics in 2013, became a visiting Professor at Durham University in 2015 and was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2022.
In 2023, he was knighted in the King’s New Year’s Honours, made an Honorary Fellow of the Nuclear Institute and elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.