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STFC Council - Role and composition
The Science and Technology Facilities Council have announced a number of changes to the composition and role of its Council, as the organisation approaches its second birthday on 1 April 2009.
Professors Martin Barstow, Sir Peter Knight and James Stirling have been appointed by Lord Drayson, the Minister for Science and Innovation, as new members of Council with effect from 1 March 2009. They will serve until 31 March 2012. At the same time Professors Anneila Sargent, Richard Wade, and Colin Whitehouse will be standing down from the Council.
"The addition of Professors Barstow, Knight and Stirling will expand the number of independent scientific members on Council. They each will bring a valuable combination of scientific, academic and commercial expertise to Council's deliberations," Chief Executive Officer Professor Keith Mason said.
"STFC already delivers significant scientific, societal, economic and international benefit to the United Kingdom. Our combination of technologies, facilities and skilled staff positions us well to increase the delivery of these benefits, and the new Council members will help ensure we achieve our maximum potential."
Professor Anneila Sargent has resigned as member of Council with effect from 31 March 2009 to allow her more time in her position as Vice President of Caltech.
Professor Richard Wade and Professor Colin Whitehouse have resigned as Council Members with effect from 28 February 2009. Professors Whitehouse and Wade will continue to contribute to Council in their roles as Deputy Chief Executive Officers.
"The contribution of Richard and Colin to Council has been immense and entirely positive. Anneila too has played an important role in helping STFC through its formative period and I wish her well for the future." Professor Mason said.
Professor Mason said the Council was also publishing a statement on the role of Council, in consultation with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (DBIS), and in response to the recommendations of the Organisational Review.
"Council has examined its own accountabilities and methods of operation. It has reaffirmed its specific responsibilities, and strengthened processes of oversight of our advisory bodies and senior management," Professor Mason said.
The new Council members with effect from 1 March 2009 are:
Professor Sir Peter Knight FRS
Professor Knight has had a distinguished career in the field of optical physics - specialising in theoretical quantum optics, strong field physics and quantum information science. His research record is outstanding, and he has been the recipient of many accolades and awards. He has held a number of senior positions at Imperial College London during the 30 years, and is currently its Senior Principal, responsible for the research strategy of the college and developing policy. In addition he has had considerable experience in developing spin-out companies and centres of excellence. Professor Knight also chaired the STFC’s Science Board since its inception in 2007 until December 2008.
Professor Knight's responsibilities on the STFC Science Board, leading the Particle Physics, Astronomy and Nuclear Advisory Committee and Physical and Life Sciences Committee peer review activities and the STFC Programmatic Review, have clearly provided him with an invaluable understanding of what would be required to develop a coherent and affordable scientific programme and Economic Impact strategy.
Professor James Stirling FRS
Professor Stirling is Jacksonian Professor of Natural Philosophy at the University of Cambridge. He is an eminent theoretical particle physicist, and an internationally distinguished researcher in the field of phenomenology. He has also been author of some of the most highly cited papers in the physical sciences.
In 2000, he co-founded and was appointed first Director of the Institute of Particle Physics Phenomenology at Durham University, now an internationally recognised centre of excellence and national facility.
Professor Martin Barstow
Professor Barstow has recently been appointed Head of the College of Science and Engineering and pro-Vice Chancellor at Leicester University, having been Head of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Leicester for the last 4 years. He has also been a member of a number of key science panels and committees, including the recent Wakeham Review panel.
Professor Barstow has had close links with STFC and their astronomy and space programmes over a number of years, and is highly respected within both communities, nationally and internationally.
Notes for editors
These appointments have been made in accordance with the requirements of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments Code of Practice. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public. None of the appointees have declared any political activity or holds any other public appointment. An honorarium of £6740per year is currently paid to all members.
Read the statement on the role of Council and Executive.
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Page last updated: 02 March 2009
by Julia Short
