Simon Denegri has been appointed as the new Executive Director of the Academy of Medical Sciences, it has been announced today (Tuesday 14 May 2019).
Simon joins the Academy from the National Institute for Health Research where he is currently Director for Patients, Carers and the Public. He will start in his new position on 28 October 2019.
Professor Sir Robert Lechler PMedSci, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, said:
“I am delighted to announce that we have appointed Simon Denegri OBE as the new Executive Director of the Academy. Simon joins us at a strategically significant time and will be right at the heart of our vital political influencing and strategic leadership.
“Simon is currently NIHR National Director for Patients, Carers and the Public. Before that he was CEO at the Association of Medical Research Charities, and he has held a number of senior leadership roles across the third sector.
“The Academy has recently celebrated its 20th Anniversary and I am excited to see Simon lead the Academy into its next chapter. I look forward to working with him to build on our many achievements and in continuing our mission to advance biomedical and health research into benefits for society.”
Commenting on his appointment, Simon said:
“The Academy is an incredibly important voice and catalyst for excellence in UK biomedical and health research. It is a privilege to be appointed Executive Director, especially at a time when the organisation is moving onto an increasingly global stage. I am looking forward to working with the President, Fellows, and staff to advance the Academy’s mission in partnership with others.”
Simon’s previous roles include being Chair of INVOLVE, the national advisory group for the promotion and support of public involvement in research, Chief Executive of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) and Director of Communications at the Royal College of Physicians of London. Simon was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2018.
Dr Rachel Quinn, the Academy’s Director of Medical Science Policy, is acting as Interim Executive Director until Simon starts on 28 October. The position of Executive Director was previously held by Dr Helen Munn who left the Academy on 23 May after 15 highly successful years..
The Academy of Medical Sciences was established in 1998 as an expert body to deal with issues at the interface of medical science and healthcare, and is part of the national academies group, alongside the Royal Society, British Academy, and the Royal Academy of Engineering.
We are working to secure a future in which:
- UK and global health is improved by the best research.
- The UK leads the world in biomedical and health research and is renowned for the quality of its research outputs, talent and collaborations.
- Independent, high quality medical science advice informs the decisions that affect society.