Rising star to lead UK’s fusion energy programme

Professor Ian Chapman has been appointed Chief Executive of the UK Atomic Energy Authority by Universities and Science Minister Jo Johnson.

Professor Chapman will take over the role from present CEO Steve Cowley on 1 October. He will lead the UK’s magnetic confinement fusion research programme at Culham Science Centre as the new MAST Upgrade experiment approaches its 2017 launch – and the operation of the world’s largest nuclear fusion device, JET, on behalf of European scientists. He will also take forward UKAEA’s increasing range of hi-tech activities at the Culham site near Oxford, including the recently-opened Materials Research Facility, the RACE robotics centre, and the Oxford Advanced Skills apprentice training facility.

At 34, he is one of the youngest CEOs of a major research centre – something he very much sees as a positive:

"Whilst I am young, I am also experienced. I hope my profile means that fusion, and its huge potential to give the world cleaner energy, will get noticed. Furthermore, I hope my appointment will inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers to make a success of ITER, the international fusion project which in my opinion is the most important experiment mankind has ever done.

"Steve Cowley leaves a tremendous legacy – exciting plans for JET, the genuinely unique MAST Upgrade nearing completion and the vibrant new Materials Research Facility, RACE and Oxford Advanced Skills programmes here at Culham. I am determined to push on with the great work he started."

Ian Chapman has had a meteoric rise within UK fusion research. Having received his MSc in Mathematics and Physics from Durham University, Ian joined Culham in 2004 as a graduate whilst completing a PhD with Imperial College London. He took various programmatic roles before rising to become Head of Tokamak Science in 2014 and Fusion Programme Manager in 2015. He holds a visiting professorship at Durham University.

Universities and Science Minister Jo Johnson said:

"I am extremely pleased to appoint Professor Ian Chapman as CEO of the UK Atomic Energy Authority. He is a real asset to the sector and will use his energy and expertise to promote the UK’s fusion research both at home and internationally."

Steve Cowley is delighted with the appointment:

"Ian has risen quickly for good reason: he is a world-class scientist, a thoughtful manager, and a strategic thinker of the first order – astonishing in one so young. Culham is a precious UK asset and I am pleased that it will be in such good hands."

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