Professor Sir Terence Stephenson has been reappointed as Chair of the Health Research Authority for three years from 1 September 2022.
The appointment has been announced by the Department of Health and Social Care today.
Terence, an eminent clinical academic, first took up the position of Chair on 1 September 2019. During his time with us he has steered the organisation through its response to the COVID-19 pandemic including our work to oversee the world’s first COVID-19 human challenge study. He also recently hosted a special thank you event for staff and community members to mark the HRA's 10th anniversary where Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England, spoke about how important the work we do is and how it affects people’s lives.
Sir Terence is Nuffield Professor of Child Health at the University College London (UCL) Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, and Honorary Consultant Paediatrician at UCL Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust. He is also a former Dean of the University of Nottingham’s Medical School, President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Chair of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, and most recently of the General Medical Council.
Professor Sir Terence Stephenson, HRA Chair‘I’m delighted to continue in this role for another three years and to further build on the progress we have made. It was fantastic to be part of our 10th anniversary celebrations, to be reminded how far we have come over the last decade and to hear first-hand how many people value our work and how it benefits people.
‘I’m extremely proud of our staff, volunteers and community members who work tirelessly to protect research participants and ensure that high-quality studies are robustly reviewed and can begin as quickly as possible.
‘The HRA really ‘stepped up to the plate’ during the pandemic, approving over 700 COVID-related research projects which recruited over one million UK patients and citizens. The results of this research helped treat and vaccinate people worldwide.’
Matt Westmore, HRA Chief Executive‘It is excellent news for the HRA that Terence has been reappointed for a further three years. We have some exciting and difficult work ahead of us and having his experience, expertise and challenge will be really helpful to us.'
The appointment is made in accordance with the Cabinet Office Code of Governance for Public Appointments.