14/02/2023
The Babraham Institute is delighted to confirm Professor Dame Linda Partridge DBE, FRS, FRSE, FMedSci as the new Chair of its Board of Trustees where she will take up the position on 1 September 2023. Professor Partridge, a world-renowned geneticist, brings an outstanding record of leadership and a deep understanding of the Institute’s research focus. Professor Partridge, who joined the Board in October 2022, will succeed Professor Peter Rigby FRS, FMedSci who will stand down after ten years of distinguished service.
Professor Partridge is a Professorial Research Fellow in the Division of Biosciences at University College London and the founding director of the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing in Cologne, Germany.
Professor Rigby welcomed the appointment of his successor: “I am enormously pleased that Professor Partridge has agreed to chair the Board. I know that she will help guide the Institute forward to continued success in every aspect of its mission.”
Professor Partridge has received many honours in recognition of her work. Amongst these, she was elected to the Royal Society in 1996 and was made a DBE for Services to Science in 2009, alongside the award of the Royal Society’s Croonian Lecture and the Darwin–Wallace Medal of the Linnean Society of London in the same year. She was Director of the Institute of Healthy Ageing at UCL between 2007 and 2019 and in other roles is currently the Biological Secretary and Vice-President of the Royal Society.
Professor Partridge said: “I look forward to contributing to the Institute’s future and seeing the exciting growth of its research as it breaks new scientific ground in understanding human biology. I would like to thank Professor Rigby for his strong leadership over the last ten years. His devoted service to the Institute ensures we are well positioned to continue making key research contributions in the area of lifelong health.”
Dr Simon Cook, Institute Director, added his thanks to both, saying: “I am delighted that Linda has been appointed the new Board Chair. It’s been a pleasure to welcome Linda to the Institute and I am confident that Linda will continue the productive engagement we have with our Board as we work together for the benefit for the Institute. I am also deeply appreciative of the huge contribution made by Peter over the last decade. He has chaired the Institute through unprecedented times and his leadership, support and encouragement have been essential to our continued success.”
Speaking on behalf of the Institute’s strategic funder, Professor Melanie Welham, Executive Chair of the BBSRC, a part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), commented: “I am very pleased to congratulate Professor Partridge on her appointment as Board Chair. She is a highly-respected scientist and is particularly well qualified to guide the Institute’s world-class life sciences research. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to the outgoing Chair, Professor Rigby, for his tireless leadership of the Institute and commitment to UK science.”
Contact Mr Simon Jones, Director of Finance and Operations, simon.jones@babraham.ac.uk
Image description Babraham Hall and nearby buildings on the Babraham Research Campus.
About the Babraham Institute The Babraham Institute undertakes world-class life sciences research to generate new knowledge of biological mechanisms underpinning ageing, development and the maintenance of health. Our research focuses on cellular signalling, gene regulation and the impact of epigenetic regulation at different stages of life. By determining how the body reacts to dietary and environmental stimuli and manages microbial and viral interactions, we aim to improve wellbeing and support healthier ageing. The Institute is strategically funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation, through Institute Strategic Programme Grants and an Institute Core Capability Grant and also receives funding from other UK research councils, charitable foundations, the EU and medical charities.
About the Institute’s Board of Trustees The Institute’s Board is responsible for overseeing the management of the Institute to ensure that the Institute runs optimally and meets the requirements associated with its funding from the BBSRC and its charitable status. The Board works closely with the Director and the Institute’s senior management to shape the Institute’s strategic vision, and set priorities and policies.
About BBSRC The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is part of UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid from the UK government.
BBSRC invests in world-class bioscience research and training on behalf of the UK public. Our aim is to further scientific knowledge, to promote economic growth, wealth and job creation and to improve quality of life in the UK and beyond.
Funded by government, BBSRC invested £451 million in world-class bioscience in 2019-20. We support research and training in universities and strategically funded institutes. BBSRC research and the people we fund are helping society to meet major challenges, including food security, green energy and healthier, longer lives. Our investments underpin important UK economic sectors, such as farming, food, industrial biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
14 February 2023