UK Research and Innovation is a new public body in place of the seven Research Councils, Innovate UK, and the research and knowledge exchange functions of the Higher Education Funding Council for England with the aim of integrating research and Innovate UK functions as well as offering an opportunity to strengthen the strategic approach to future challenges and maximise value from Government’s investment of over £6 billion per annum in research and innovation.
The first chief executive of UKRI will be Sir Mark Walport, currently the Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser.
UKRI is also looking to appoint an Innovation Champion to its board to embed innovation throughout the organisation and act as an authoritative voice in communicating to UK research and business communities.
The new funding announced in the 2016 Autumn Statement for research and innovation intended to enhance the UK’s position as a world leader. It is clear that innovation will be a growing role for UKRI and so it is vitally important that the UKRI Board members are drawn from the breadth of the activities UKRI will cover, including agricultural and horticultural businesses.
The closing date for application forms is 31st March 2017. An application pack and further information on how to apply can be found on the Cabinet Office website https://publicappointments.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/appointment/ukri-board-members/