Professor Dame Angela McLean named Chief Scientific Adviser

Starting in her post on April 1, Professor McLean will become the first woman to take on the role. She will replace Sir Patrick Vallance, who has held the position since 2018, and who had a very public tenure alongside the UK’s Chief Medical Adviser, Professor Chris Whitty, throughout the Covid pandemic.

Professor McLean has been the Chief Scientific Adviser for the Ministry of Defence since September 2019, with responsibility for directing research through the MOD’s core S&T research portfolio. As GCSA, she will also act as head of the Government Science and Engineering Profession and be part of the executive team of the newly formed Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

“I am delighted to take on this role at such an important time in our country for Science Innovation and Technology,” she said. “All of us in government are going to greatly miss Sir Patrick, and I look forward to working with colleagues to build on the work he has led during his time as GCSA.