Chief Executive Officer

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. UKRI are the largest public funder of research and innovation in the UK, spanning all disciplines and sectors. We are the engine for the UK as a research and innovation powerhouse, investing £9 billion each year on behalf of the UK Government, leveraging expertise across all disciplines and sectors.  We inspire and enable talented people to push the boundaries of discovery, support innovative businesses to grow and scale, and target solutions to national and global priorities.

We are looking for an outstanding organisational leader who will ensure UKRI delivers government research priorities, including notably across the UK’s portfolio of five critical technologies. As our next Chief Executive Officer, your decisions will have long-lasting impact, driving benefits of R&I for the UK and ensuring global reach.

As Chief Executive Officer you will provide leadership to our 8,000 staff, and to an organisation comprising nine councils – the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Midway on our path to maturity, your leadership will help UKRI realise the benefits of being an integrated national funder, ensuring it is an exceptional delivery agency, delivering the UK’s ambition to become a Science and Technology Superpower.

We are seeking an exceptional leader with a deep understanding of the R&I system. You will lead UKRI in building a portfolio of investments with aligned incentives to foster the diverse, connected, and resilient system needed to create transformative discoveries and connect them rapidly to prosperity and public good. 

In addition, we are looking for an outstanding individual with experience leading one or more large and complex organisations through change, with the ability to operate successfully in a complex, cross-sector environment. 

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to UKRI on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference AAYIO. Alternatively, telephone +44 (0)20 7227 0880 (during office hours). Applications should be received by noon on 2 April 2024.