Appointments to the Natural Environment Research Council

28 March 2007

Malcolm Wicks MP, Minister for Science & Innovation, has announced three new appointments to the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).

NERC funds world-class science, in universities and its own research centres, that increases knowledge and understanding of the natural world. It is tackling the 21st century's major environmental issues such as climate change, biodiversity and natural hazards. It leads in providing independent research and training in the environmental sciences.

Council members have corporate responsibility for all NERC's actions and those of its staff. They decide issues such as corporate strategy, key strategic objectives and targets, and major decisions involving the use of financial and other resources.

Professor Alan Thorpe, Chief Executive of NERC, said, "It's important that we have a broad range of experience, knowledge and expertise within the Council to help us deliver our science and business goals. I'm very pleased to welcome the three new members, who bring a vast array of skills and experience that will be of huge benefit to NERC and its community."

Professor Michael Lockwood, FRS is a professor of both Space Plasma Physics and Energy and the Environment at the University of Southampton. He is also Chief Scientist at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory's Space Science Department, and a guest lecturer for the University Centre in Svalbard.

He studied physics at Exeter University, where he also gained a PhD in upper atmosphere studies. His research interests are in the phenomena that cross the mesopause (a high-level region of the Earth's atmosphere) and how solar variability has masked the full impact of man's contribution to climate change. His work has received a number of awards from international science organisations.

In addition to several Research Council committees, Professor Lockwood has served on many national and international committees including the Royal Society, Royal Astronomical Society, EISCAT (the European Incoherent Scatter Scientific Association), the European Geophysical Union, the European Space Agency Cluster Ground Working Group, Geospace Environment Modelling and the International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy.

Colin Paynter, is Chief Executive Officer of EADS Astrium Ltd, which specialises in civil and military telecommunications and Earth observation systems, science and navigation programmes, and spacecraft avionics and equipment.

He studied engineering and mathematics at Loughborough University and then joined the industry as a Control Systems Engineer. His career has spanned both civil and military fields and he has successfully run large multi-company, multi-national programmes. He has in the past been a member of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council and Chair of its Remuneration Committee.

Since heading up EADS Astrium Ltd, Mr Paynter has worked closely with the DTI and other Government departments to increase their awareness and appreciation of the UK space industry.

Professor (Blanche) Marjorie Wilson, professor of Igneous Petrogenesis at the Institute of Geophysics, School of Earth and Environment and Pro-Dean for Research in the Faculty of Environment, University of Leeds.

Professor Wilson studied geology at St. Hilda's College, Oxford University, the University of California, Berkeley, USA, and Leeds University, and obtained a Master of Business Administration degree from the Open University.

Her research is in the field of igneous petrology, volcanology and geodynamics. In addition to her academic research experience, she has worked extensively with the UK and international offshore oil industry. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Uppsala, Sweden, as part of their Millennium celebrations and in 2003 she was made a Guest Professor at the China University of Geosciences in Beijing. In June 2006 she was awarded the Coke Medal of the Geological Society of London. She has an extensive range of publications in her specialist field of igneous petrology and for the past 12 years has been the Executive Editor of the Journal of Petrology.

She has a wide range of international committee experience, including UNESCO, the European Science Foundation, Science Foundation Ireland and the European Commission. She currently advises the Italian Government, Department of Civil Protection, on volcanic hazard prediction. She is a member of the Selection Committee for the Norwegian Research Council's Centres of Excellence Programme.

Professor Wilson has been a member of the NERC Science and Innovation Strategy Board (SISB) since 2003, Chair of NERC's Services and Facilities Review Group since 2004, a member of the joint NERC Council/SISB working group responsible for drafting the next NERC strategy and Chair of the NERC Moderating Panel for the review of the British Geological Survey.

All three appointments run from 1 March 2007 until 31 July 2010.

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. Appointments to NERC are made in accordance with the requirements of the Code of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. 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 the appointees' political activity (if any declared) to be made public. Professors Lockwood and Wilson and Mr Paynter have not held any other public appointments or undertaken any political activities within the past five years.

2. An honorarium of £6410 per year is currently paid to all members of NERC's Council (£8540 per annum for those members who chair NERC research boards).

Press release: 9/07

Appointments to the Natural Environment Research Council

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