Professor Paul Monks appointed as new Henry Royce Institute Chair

Professor Paul Monks joins from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) were he is Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA), following his previous role as CSA at the former Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), which he held from 2020 to 2023. He will take up his new post in September 2025.

Speaking about his appointment, Professor Monks said:

“The Henry Royce Institute is a vital national asset within the UK’s research infrastructure. Its focus on advanced materials has never been more critical.  As highlighted in the Government’s recently published Industrial Strategy, where advanced materials is rightly prioritised as a “frontier industry”,  materials science lies at the heart of nearly every major societal challenge we face.

“I’d like to pay tribute to the outstanding leadership of the late Sir Peter Gregson whose vision helped shape Royce’s strategic direction. His untimely passing was a great loss. I also commend Annalisa Gigante, who stepped in as Interim Chair and continued to champion Royce’s mission.

“Royce has a growing role in accelerating the commercial exploitation of advanced materials and supporting the National Materials Innovation Strategy. I’m joining at a particularly exciting moment and I look forward to working closely with the Royce Governing Board, its leadership team, and our partners in government and industry to take this important work forward.”

Royce CEO, Professor David Knowles added:

“Paul’s appointment as Chair is incredibly positive news for the materials community. His exceptional scientific background, policy acumen and extensive leadership experience in academia will bring invaluable insight to Royce. Beyond leading our Governance, Paul will play a key role in advancing our mission – supporting engagement with industry and government stakeholders to address critical materials challenges and strengthening our connection with the wider UK materials community.”

“I’m delighted to welcome Paul at such a pivotal time for Royce, as we enter the next phase of the National Materials Innovation Strategy and continue to demonstrate our capabilities in driving materials-led innovation.”

Outgoing Interim Royce Chair, Annalisa Gigante, said:

“It has been a privilege to serve as Interim Chair of the Henry Royce Institute and to support the team over the past year – a period during which Royce has continued to advance its mission through new partnerships, innovative projects and talented people.

“I look forward to continuing my role on the Royce Governing Board and working with the Royce Executive Team and Partnership as we shape the next phase of the Institute’s development.

“I’m delighted to welcome Paul to the team, and wish him every success in his new role as Chair.”

In his role as CSA Paul delivers independent and impartial science and engineering advice to ministers and policymakers across the DESNZ policy and delivery portfolio and Clean Energy Superpower Mission. He is also Chair of the British Geological Survey.

Before joining BEIS, Paul was Pro-Vice Chancellor and Head of the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Leicester, where he remains a Professor in Atmospheric Chemistry and Earth Observation Science.

Paul was previously Chair of the Defra Air Quality Expert Group (AQEG) and Deputy Chair of the Defra Science Advisory Council, alongside roles in the UKRI-NERC advice structures. He has worked internationally as the European representative on the Environmental Pollution and Atmospheric Chemistry Scientific Steering Committee (EPAC SSC) of the World Meteorological Organisation and on the International Commission on Atmospheric Chemistry and Global Pollution (iCACGP).

As founding director of G-STEP (a university innovation initiative), he developed a business facing organisation with the aim of innovating using satellite-based earth observation (EO) data to enhance the competitiveness of industry, particularly focused on small and medium sized businesses (SMEs).

Professor Paul Monks was awarded the Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the King’s New Year Honours 2025 for Services to Science in Government.