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Natural Environment Research Council appoints two new members

25 November 2004

Rob Margetts, Chairman of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) today announced two new appointments to the Council, made by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

Speaking at NERC's Open Council meeting in London, Mr Margetts said, "Over the past few years NERC has overhauled its strategic development processes and continues to streamline its practices. I am very pleased to welcome two new members to the Council, who will bring an array of valuable expertise and knowledge. Their experience will help to ensure that NERC remains a global leader in environmental research and training."

The new Council Members are Professor Alex Halliday from the University of Oxford and Mr Peter Hazell, an independent businessman. Both appointments run until 31 July 2008.

Further information

NERC Press Office
Natural Environment Research Council
Polaris House, North Star Avenue
Swindon, SN2 1EU
Tel: 01793 411561
Mob: 07917 557215

Notes

1. These appointments have been made in accordance with the requirements of the Code of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Neither of the appointees have been involved in any relevant political activities in the last five years. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees' political activity (if any declared) to be made public.

2. An honorarium of £6,120 per year is currently paid to all members of NERC's Council.

3. Alex Halliday has recently been appointed as Professor of Geochemistry at the University of Oxford following six years at the ETH in Zurich, Switzerland. He has received particular recognition as a leader in the development of new techniques for studying large-scale planetary processes from moon formation to ocean circulation. He has served on numerous scientific review and advisory panels and is the author / co-author of more than 200 peer-reviewed scientific publications including over 30 in the leading journals Science and Nature. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society and is recognised as a world leader in environmental science. He currently holds no other public appointments.

4. Peter Hazell has had over 30 years experience in Corporate Finance and Audit Practice, gained with Deloitte Haskins & Sells/Coopers & Lybrand / PricewaterhouseCoopers. He is Chairman of the Argent Group and a non-executive director of UK Coal plc and BRIT Insurance plc. He is a member of the Competition Commission, the UK's regulatory authority dealing with monopolies and mergers.

5. NERC is one of the UK's research councils. It uses a budget of about £300m a year to fund and carry out impartial scientific research in the sciences of the environment. NERC trains the next generation of independent environmental scientists. It is addressing some of the key questions facing mankind such as global warming, renewable energy and sustainable economic development.

6. This is the fourth year that NERC has opened up one of its Council meetings so that the public can see how decisions about funding priorities are made and have the chance to discuss issues that are important to them.

Press release: 37/04

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