Guy Poppy, Professor at the University of Southampton and Chief Scientific Adviser to the Food Standards Agency, has been appointed to the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) on a part-time basis as Programme Director for the recently announced Strategic Priorities Fund (SPF) Food Systems programme.
The Programme is an ambitious £25m call by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) in partnership with government, for research to fundamentally transform the UK food system by placing healthy people and a healthy natural environment at its centre.
Professor Poppy will bring his academic expertise and experience of working closely with policy makers in government to provide strategic leadership and insight into the development of the SPF.
Professor Poppy said:
“This is a fantastic time to join BBSRC as it works within UKRI and with all its other academic and business partners to deliver the research and innovation that the UK needs.
“Focusing on food systems, I have been given a great opportunity to unleash the new ideas required to transform the UK food system for human and planetary health and to boost this crucial sector, which currently employs more than 450,000 people and annually contributes over £31bn to the UK economy.
“I believe that by working in partnership we will find fresh ideas that will make a real difference, which will help address climate change, reduce the health challenges caused by poor diets and help create trust in the food system amongst UK consumers.”
