The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has appointed a “celebrated scientist” as its next chief scientific adviser
Prof Anjali Goswami will succeed Prof Gideon Henderson, who is leaving Defra after six years in the role, on 1 July.
Goswami is a lead researcher at the Natural History Museum and president of the Linean Society of London – which is dedicated to the study and dissemination of information concerning natural history, evolution, and taxonomy.
Announcing the appointment, Defra permanent secretary Dame Tamara Finkelstein said: “Prof Goswami brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise from her career in academia and at the Natural History Museum. I am delighted to have her as part of the Defra leadership team, providing her science expertise both in Defra and the wider government scientific community.”
Finkelstein also expressed her thanks to Henderson for his “dedication and drive throughout his time at Defra, for his scientific leadership and his wider leadership of the department”. She said Henderson has been “an inspiring colleague bringing his values and commitment to innovation to bear to the benefit of citizens”.
Environment secretary Steve Reed added that Henderson had brought “exceptional leadership and expert insight” to the role.
Described by Defra as a “celebrated scientist”, Goswami has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Zoological Society of London Scientific Medal, the Palaeontological Association President’s Medal, and the Humanists UK Darwin Day Medal.
Goswami said she was “delighted” to be joining Defra “at this critical time for the UK and the planet”.
“The UK public is rightly concerned about the impacts of environmental degradation and climate change, which are increasingly evident in our everyday lives,” she said.
“Fortunately, there is immense scientific innovation that can support Defra’s mission, from cleaning our waterways and restoring nature to improving the resilience of our rural communities and our food supply to global change.
“I look forward to joining the Defra team and ensuring that the most cutting-edge scientific understanding is being harnessed to meet the complex challenges we face and deliver for the UK public.”
Goswami's appointment follows a four-month hunt for a successor to Henderson, with a salary of £149,000 offered for the position.
Henderson said his six years in the role has been a “challenging but hugely enjoyable privilege” and that the department “can be proud of the way it values science and scientists as it cares for the air, water, food and natural environment that we all rely on”.
“I will miss working with passionate colleagues who make sure Defra’s wide range work is always informed by up-to-date and accurate science and analysis,” he said.
On his successor, Henderson said Goswami will be “a great leader of Defra’s scientific community”.
“She will bring a wealth of knowledge and insight and I’m confident will continue to put science and analysis at the heart of Defra’s work,” he added.