A clinician scientist, Savill takes up the post on 1 October as successor to Sir Leszek Borysiewicz.
Prior to taking up this role, Savill was the first vice-principal and head of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, since 2002. Since 2008, he has also worked as the chief scientist for the Scottish Government Health Directorates (part-time).
‘I am thrilled to be joining the MRC at a time when there are such bright prospects for the UK to play a leading role in the international effort to beat disease through interdisciplinary discovery science.
‘By retaining a University base, I will remain grounded in the realities of medical research in which partnerships with charities, industry, patients and public are so important in developing research and research leaders for the future.’
Sir John Chisholm has been reappointed as chairman of the MRC. He became chairman of QinetiQ in 2005. Prior to this he was UK md of Sema Group and subsequently a director of CAP Group.
