Professor Sir Ian Chapman of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) has been made Knight Bachelor for his services to global fusion energy.
The full New Year Honours list for 2023 recognises achievements and service of extraordinary people across the United Kingdom.
Fusion energy offers the potential of an abundant, inherently safe low-carbon electricity supply. It involves fusing hydrogen particles in a hot gas known as a ‘plasma’ to unlock large amounts of energy.
Professor Sir Ian Chapman has driven the UK’s fusion programme to be a world leader in the race to transform and develop clean energy.
As CEO of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), he has transformed the organisation to include new commercial areas such as robotics and materials.
During Brexit, he enabled the UK-based Joint European Torus (JET) to continue operating, saving over 600 jobs whilst providing critical science for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) collaboration.
In 2019, he was elected Chair of the International Atomic Energy Authority’s fusion research committee.
Professor Sir Ian Chapman said: “It is such a privilege to work with brilliant people who will change the way we produce and use energy, and this honour is a reflection of the things that we achieve as a collective.
“Very rarely are major advances made in science and engineering without a team endeavour, and I think this tremendous honour reflects the achievements of the whole of UKAEA.”
The New Year Honours are a part of the British honours system, with New Year’s Day, 1st January, being marked by naming new members of orders of chivalry and recipients of other official honours.
The awards will be presented by King Charles or his vice-regal representative. They have been awarded at New Year since at least 1890.
The honours system celebrates the breadth of services given by people from all backgrounds across the UK.
UKAEA warmly congratulates Professor Sir Ian Chapman.
