The Health Research Authority (HRA) has announced that Professor Matt Westmore from the Faculty of Medicine has been appointed as its new Chief Executive.
The HRA is one of a number of bodies responsible for the regulation and governance of health and social care research in the UK. Its primary role is to protect and promote the interests of patients and the public in research, as well as to streamline the regulatory process.
He will take up the post in February 2021 and will lead the regulator as it continues to play a crucial role in the response to COVID-19.
Speaking of his new appointment, Prof Westmore said:
“Never before has research and its regulation had such a high profile or been so important to so many peoples’ lives. Being appointed Chief Executive of the Health Research Authority is a great honour but it is also bittersweet. I am excited about where I am going but I am also sad to leave. I did my undergraduate and Ph.D at Southampton and have worked for the University in the Wessex Institute for the last 12 years. I could not be more proud of that or more grateful to the University as an institution, and the wonderful friends and colleagues I have had the privilege to learn, develop and work with along the way.”
Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Diana Eccles said, “Matt has been a fantastic colleague and I wish him the very best for his exciting move to HRA, they are very lucky to have him and I know he will be as effective and appreciated there as he has been during his time at the Wessex Institute, most recently as Director.
“He will be greatly missed by all of us in the Faculty of Medicine, he has been a great contributor and supporter to the Faculty Leadership team in so many different ways and provided inspirational examples of how to support diversity in the workplace.”
Full story: https://southampton.likn.co/news/2020/12/matt-westmore.page
