Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has appointed Professor Nola Hewitt-Dundas as a non-executive director to the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Board.
Professor Hewitt-Dundas is Pro-Vice Chancellor and Professor of Innovation Management and Policy at Queen’s University Belfast and a Senior Research Associate with the UK Enterprise Research Centre.
Her research centres on the dynamics of innovation ecosystems with an emphasis on small and medium enterprises, business strategy and technology adoption.
In addition, she has advised the Northern Ireland (NI) Assembly, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, European Union, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the World Bank.
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In 2022, she was made a fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and is a previous recipient of the Institute of Directors (NI) Public Sector Director of the Year award.
Speaking on the appointment, UKRI chairman Sir Andrew Mackenzie said: “Professor Hewitt-Dundas’s experience and expertise will further strengthen the board’s decision-making as we work to deliver our ambitious strategy for research and innovation over the coming years."
Professor Hewitt-Dundas applied to the 2021 board campaign.
The appointment was made in line with the Public Appointments Code of Practice to address future vacancies and is subject to security clearances.
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Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz and John Browne, Lord Browne of Madingley, will step down from the UKRI Board this autumn. Both were inaugural members of the board.
Sir Andrew said: “Borys and John have both made significant, pivotal contributions to the development and success of UKRI in its formative years and I thank them for this, their advice to me as Chair and their wonderful service to the UK.”
