We are delighted to welcome Dr Stuart Wainwright, our new Chief Executive, to the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) today.
Stuart was previously Director of the Government Office for Science, the body responsible for providing science advice to the Prime Minister and Cabinet and driving improvements in the way science is used across government.
He brings much experience of leadership, strategy and science from roles across government and was awarded an OBE last year for services to resilience and crisis response, including during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Stuart replaces Professor Mark Bailey, who retires later this month. Mark has led UKCEH for the past 12 years, guiding the institute through the process of becoming independent from the Natural Environment Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) in 2019.
Stuart says: “Mark leaves UKCEH in an extremely strong position. Under his leadership, UKCEH has established itself as one of the world’s leading institutes for integrated environmental research across water, land and air. It provides the robust scientific evidence necessary to tackle the global climate and biodiversity crises, enable the transition to sustainable, carbon-neutral food production, and prevent and reduce pollution.
“I am looking forward to building on this success and working with UKCEH’s exceptionally talented and dedicated staff. We will maintain our close and invaluable relationships with government agencies and the research funding councils while extending our partnerships with a range of organisations across the UK and internationally.”
Mark, who is internationally recognised for his pioneering research in the field of microbial ecology, has been shaping the UK's environmental research offering through significant leadership roles over the last 20 years. He became Director of the Institute of Virology and Environmental Microbiology, a Natural Environment Research Council institute, in 2002, followed by Science Director of Biodiversity at the newly formed Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) in 2003, before being appointed Executive Director in 2011.
Mark says: “I have been fortunate to work with many fantastic people, some of whom, I am pleased to say, have become friends. I am proud of what we have achieved together. What we do at UKCEH really matters, helping to provide science-based solutions to the complex environmental challenges that the world faces.”
Mark will continue his association with UKCEH as a Fellow.