The British Science Association (BSA) announces that its Director of Programmes, Katherine Mathieson, will take up the role of Chief Executive in August 2016.

Katherine joined the BSA from Nesta, the innovation foundation where she headed up Nesta’s portfolio of science education and science communication projects and started the new ‘Future Innovators’ programme.

Her current role as Director of Programmes includes the organisation’s public-facing work with a wide range of audience groups, from young people and families to adults and policy makers. She was instrumental in working with the current CEO, Imran Khan, to devise and implement the organisation’s strategic review in 2014, and in driving forward the new vision: to make science a fundamental part of culture and society.

The Rt Hon. the Lord David Willetts, Chair of the BSA, said:
“I am delighted that Katherine will be the next Chief Executive of the BSA. The Council ran an open selection with a strong short-list of external and internal candidates. Katherine stood out from the rest and was unanimously endorsed by Council. She is hugely respected both inside and outside the organisation, has excellent leadership and management skills, and is a real champion of the BSA’s vision and mission.

“On behalf of the Council and staff of the BSA I would like to thank Imran Khan for the tremendous work that he has done transforming the organisation during his tenure and wish him well in his new role at the Wellcome Trust.

“This is an exciting time for the BSA, and I am looking forward to working with Katherine as she leads the team in delivering the rest of our current three-year business plan and developing a new one to take effect in 2018.”

Katherine Mathieson said:
“I am delighted to take up the role of Chief Executive at the BSA. I believe there is tremendous scope in our new vision and mission, and I look forward to working with my talented, dedicated colleagues, volunteers and partners to achieve it. I have been a supporter of the BSA since achieving a CREST Award as a teenager and I am honoured to play such a significant role in guiding the BSA through the next few years.”

Katherine will take up her post in August.

Read the press release here.