Department for Business and Trade appoints new Chief Scientific Adviser

Professor Julia Sutcliffe has been appointed as the Department for Business and Trade’s Chief Scientific Adviser, following a competitive recruitment process run by the Civil Service Commission.

In her new role, Professor Sutcliffe will provide science and engineering advice to the department’s ministers and senior officials, champion an evidence-driven approach to decision-making, and build internal scientific capability. She will also work with the cross-government network of departmental Chief Scientific Advisers and the Government Office for Science to resolve cross-cutting issues.

Professor Sutcliffe, currently a Chief Technologist at BAE Systems, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role. She holds an Honorary Professorship at the University of Manchester in computer science, is a Chartered Engineer, and a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Aeronautical Society. She has represented UK science and technology through a range of advisory council roles, including as the UK’s industry representative on NATO Science and Technology Board and Programme Advisory Committee member for the UK Atomic Energy Authority.

Professor Julia Sutcliffe said:

I am delighted to be joining the Department for Business and Trade to support the UK’s business and trading relationships in science and engineering, and to have the chance to build on the strong foundations that Dr Mike Short has created.

I hope to use the experiences from my career, alongside support from the UK’s scientific and industrial communities, to champion the UK’s science and technology excellence and partnerships globally.

Sir Patrick Vallance, Government Chief Scientific Adviser, said:

Congratulations to Professor Julia Sutcliffe on her appointment as Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department for Business and Trade.

She has had a distinguished scientific, engineering and industrial career to date and will be a significant asset to the department, bringing deep expertise and broad experience across engineering fields.

Professor Sutcliffe will join the department at the end of February 2023, succeeding Dr Mike Short after five years in post as Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department for International Trade.