Committee publication · Report · 23 April 2026 · HC 1844
4th Report - Pre-appointment hearing for the Chair of UK Research and Innovation
From: Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Inquiry: Pre-appointment hearing: UK Research and Innovation chair
Government response deadline: 23 June 2026
Summary
This report documents the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee's pre-appointment hearing for Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, the government's preferred candidate for Chair of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The hearing took place on 22 April 2026. The committee concludes that Borysiewicz has the professional competence and personal independence required, rating him eminently appointable, though noting he takes the post at a pivotal moment requiring demonstrated financial management skills and alignment of strategic vision across UKRI's councils.
Key findings
- Professor Borysiewicz is judged to have professional competence and personal independence required for the UKRI chair role
- He brings extensive experience leading research organisations, including his tenure as Vice Chancellor of Cambridge University (2010–2017) and CEO of the Medical Research Council (2007–2010)
- The committee emphasises Borysiewicz must demonstrate financial management skills and value-for-money delivery, referencing concerns raised by the National Audit Office
- Key early priorities must include aligning his vision with Lord Vallance and Sir Ian Chapman, setting clear success measures, and establishing accountability mechanisms
- UKRI is undergoing significant transformation in how it supports scientific research, requiring leadership equal to the scale of this challenge
Recommendations
- Align his vision for UKRI with those of Lord Vallance and Professor Sir Ian Chapman
- Determine clear measures of success for the organisation and share these with the committee for accountability purposes
- Demonstrate strong financial management and focus on value for money in deploying UKRI's £9 billion annual allocation
- Address challenges in how research priorities are set and distributed across UK society and geography
Tone
FactualTopics
Key actors
Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Lord Vallance, Professor Sir Ian Chapman, Dame Chi Onwurah, Dame Anne Glover, Sir Paul Nurse, Alex Jones
Notable line
“Professor Borysiewicz is eminently appointable, and UKRI is lucky to have a person with his qualifications as chair.”
Key Quotes
“… we are satisfied that Professor Borysiewicz has the professional competence and personal independence required for the role of UKRI chair.”
“He joins UKRI at a pivotal moment in the history of the organisation, which is currently implementing the most significant transformation in how it supports scientific research since its establishment.”
“His first task should be to align his vision for UKRI with those of Lord Vallance and Professor Sir Ian Chapman, determine clear measures of success for the organisation, and ensure that these are shared with us so that we can hold UKRI accountable for the decisions it takes.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗