Government Departments: Scientific Advisers

House of Lords written question – answered at on 27 June 2011.

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Photo of Lord Willis of Knaresborough Lord Willis of Knaresborough Liberal Democrat

To ask Her Majesty's Government who is the Departmental Chief Scientific Adviser for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills; and (a) when they were appointed and for how long, (b) what is their academic or experience background, (c) what is their civil service rank, (d) whether their post is full-time or part-time, and what other work commitments they have, and (e) on how many occasions during the past year they have had meetings with the Secretary of State or the Minister to whom they have direct responsibility.

Photo of Baroness Wilcox Baroness Wilcox The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills

The post of departmental Chief Scientific Adviser for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is currently vacant.

Until 31 May 2011, Professor Brian Collins was the BIS Chief Scientific Adviser. He was appointed in May 2008 for three years, working part time (0.4 full-time equivalent). He was a senior civil servant, pay band 2. Professor Collins met regularly with the Minister of State for Universities and Science and also provided advice to other Ministers depending on the issue.

Professor Collins was also the Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department for Transport from May 2008 to 2011 and maintained an academic position at the University of Cranfield. He has extensive experience at a senior level in government, academia and commerce, including roles as International Director of Information Technology at Clifford Chance, Head of Information Systems at the Wellcome Trust and Director of Science and Technology at GCHQ.

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