UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) CEO Professor Sir Ian Chapman will leave UKAEA this summer 2025 to become the next CEO of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
The full announcement can be found here.
UKAEA sincerely thanks Sir Ian for his dedicated service, including his nine-year tenure as CEO. Under his leadership, he has played a hugely influential part in transforming and expanding the organisation into a global leader in fusion energy.
Professor Sir Ian Chapman – Image Credit United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
Prof Sir Ian Chapman, UKAEA CEO, said: “I am excited to be joining an excellent team at UKRI focused on improving the lives and livelihoods of UK citizens.
“Research and innovation must be central to the prosperity of our society and our economy, so UKRI can shape the future of the country.
“I was tremendously fortunate to represent UKAEA, an organisation at the forefront of global research and innovation of fusion energy, and I look forward to building on those experiences to enable the wider UK research and innovation sector.”
Sir Ian – who currently sits on UKRI’s board – will take up the post at UKRI in summer 2025.
The UKAEA Board has provisionally agreed that Tim Bestwick, UKAEA Deputy CEO, will take over as interim CEO of UKAEA after Sir Ian leaves, while a permanent replacement is appointed.
Tim Bestwick, UKAEA Deputy CEO, said: “Huge congratulations to Ian on his appointment to such a pivotal role in UK research. Ian has had a tremendously positive impact on shaping and growing UKAEA over his tenure as CEO, which we have very much benefitted from.
“It is an exciting time for the developing field of fusion, with UKAEA playing an important leadership position.
“I am personally committed to delivering on UKAEA’s important mission as effectively as possible, and I look forward to doing my part as interim CEO.”
