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�������� welcomes Professor Sir Jim Smith as Interim Director

The �������� is delighted to welcome Professor Jim Smith as Interim Director. The Board of Trustees has appointed Professor Smith as Dr Simon Cook returns to his role as Head of the Signalling research programme. Dr Cook took over as Director in 2021 at a critical time for the ��������. In 2023 he led the �������� through a quinquennial review which saw the ��������’s research rated as internationally leading and secured its strategic funding. 

Professor Dame Linda Partridge said: “The Board is most grateful to Dr Cook for his contribution as Director. We look forward to welcoming Professor Smith who knows the �������� well and brings with him a wealth of experience in science leadership.”

Professor Smith is currently Chair of the Council of the Zoological Society of London and Emeritus Scientist at the Francis Crick ��������. His research focussed on cell-cell interactions in early vertebrate development and in stem cell differentiation. He has been Director of the Gurdon �������� and a member of the Babraham Board, and more recently was Director of Research at the Francis Crick ��������, Deputy CEO of the Medical Research Council, and Director of Science at the Wellcome Trust.

Professor Smith said: “I am very pleased to have been appointed by the Board of Trustees to lead the ��������. I look forward to working with the team at the �������� to allow the �������� to continue delivering world-class science.”

The �������� will seek to recruit a new permanent director in the coming year.