The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is currently seeking a Chair for the new Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA).
BEIS Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng recently confirmed the appointment of DARPA Deputy Director Dr Peter Highnam as the first CEO of the UK’s new advanced inventions agency and Dr Highnam will assume his new role on 3 May. ARIA is now seeking to appoint a Chairperson who will be integral to shaping the new organisation and ensuring its success and the UK’s continued leadership globally on research and innovation.
ARIA’s mission is to pursue high-risk, high-payoff research in breakthrough technologies that create a strategic advantage for the United Kingdom.
The Chair is a key figurehead for ARIA and will be integral to shaping the new organisation and ensuring its success and the UK’s continued leadership globally on research and innovation. They will work with the CEO and other Board members, leading ARIA in pursuit of its objectives. The Chair will act as custodian for ARIA’s mission and objectives and be responsible for supporting overall direction and management, ensuring that the Board takes an effective governance role.
The agency will have a high degree of freedom and autonomy from central Government, minimal bureaucracy, and maximal financial flexibility. The Government is committed to providing at least £800m in funding for the agency till 2025/26. The ARIA Bill, giving explicit parliamentary consent for the body’s unique characteristics to be protected for the long term, has almost completed its passage through both Houses.
The recruitment process is being managed by Saxton Bampfylde the successful candidate will be an experienced board member with a strong understanding of the UK R&D landscape, and global science. They will bring a good understanding of governance and other governing body management issues such as an understanding of compliance and probity as these relate to a publicly funded organisation. An inquisitive and intuitive thinker, they will be able to remain objective in scrutinising ARIA’s executive and holding it to account. They will be able to balance the competing and conflicting strategic pressures from central Government, inside ARIA, and from external stakeholders.
You can view the full advertisement and job specification on the Saxton Bampfylde website. Applications close on Wednesday 2 March.