We are pleased to announce that Neelam Patel has been appointed as our new Chair.
Neelam has been serving as Interim Chair since February 2025 when Professor Sir Terence Stephenson stood down from the role on 31 January to take up a new role as Chair of NHS Providers.
She will serve a three year term as Chair which began on Monday 7 July 2025.
Neelam joined the HRA as a Non-Executive Director back in April 2021 and was serving in her second term having been re-appointed in 2023.
Speaking about her appointment, Neelam Patel said:
“I am truly delighted to be appointed as Chair of the Health Research Authority (HRA) at a time when the organisation is launching its new strategy.
“Having had the privilege of serving as a Non-Executive Director for the past four years, and more recently as Interim Chair, I have seen first-hand the commitment of staff and volunteers to enabling research that people can trust.
“The HRA is the engine that drives research from ideas to real-world impact, and our new strategy will help to provide even faster, simpler approvals, connecting every part of the UK research process to help the NHS and researchers deliver trusted studies that change lives.
“All of our work will support the government’s mission to make the UK the best place in the world for medical research. I am excited to continue working closely with the Board as we realise this ambition.
Reacting to Neelam’s appointment, Matt Westmore, Chief Executive at the Health Research Authority, said:
“I'm delighted to welcome Neelam as our new Chair. She brings deep expertise, strong leadership, and a clear commitment to the HRA's mission. Her appointment came through a rigorous and open government process that attracted a very strong field of candidates - a clear sign of the role's importance, and it speaks volumes about Neelam's leadership strengths and the confidence she inspires across the sector.
“This is a pivotal moment for health and care research in the UK. The government's 10 Year Plan outlines ambitious shifts - from hospital to community care, analogue to digital, and treatment to prevention - and highlights how vital science and innovation will be. On top of that, the industrial strategy clearly sets out the UK's ambition to be the leading life sciences nation in Europe and among the top three globally.
“The HRA is critical to these ambitions, and our Chair is critical for us to meet them. A good chair challenges and champions us in equal measures and Neelam does both excellently. I'm delighted we will be working closely with Neelam as we deliver our strategy and shape a research system that works for everyone. By making it easy to do research that people can trust, we'll boost health and grow the economy together.”
This appointment is made in accordance with the Cabinet Office Code of Governance for Public Appointments. The regulation of public appointments against the requirements of this Code is carried out by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.