UK Research & Innovation: Helping UKRI Change The Face Of Leadership

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) was in need of high-calibre leaders – not just highly qualified scientists and academics, but people who would reflect the UK’s richly diverse society. With the help of Green Park’s Public Sector Search team, UKRI found 18 new Council Members, including leaders of different races and ages. They continue to bring fresh perspectives and a new dimension to UKRI.

• 18 new Council Members appointed across seven research councils
• Two women of colour appointed as Council Members
• Two generationally diverse VC entrepreneurs recruited

The challenge

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) brings together seven research councils, Innovate UK and Research England. Earlier this year, the organisation asked Green Park to find candidates for 18 Council Member vacancies. They had to be outstanding leaders from science and academia, but also reflect the diverse nation that UKRI serves. The challenge was to present a viable shortlist with a focus on BAME, gender and disability. However, while the UK is more diverse than ever, science and academia are predominantly white and male. There are currently only 25 women of colour working as professors in the UK and a general paucity of women of colour in senior academic positions in UK universities. The Public Sector Search team had its work cut out.

Our project

The team knew that diverse candidates existed beyond the traditional talent pool. So, they set about finding them and opening UKRI’s eyes to a broader range of candidates who could bring different views and backgrounds as well as vital core skills. To find people who fitted the criteria, the team reached out to potential candidates through trusted ambassadors and well-established networks. Our BAME network proved particularly valuable, as did our Chair, Trevor Phillips OBE, who played an instrumental role in two UKRI council recruitment programmes.   

The results

UKRI now has its full complement of Council Members. Green Park delivered a highly complex, multi-disciplinary volume campaign involving over 200 candidates through to completion and appointment. What’s more, the chosen candidates included a significant proportion of diverse leaders. By the end of the campaign, the Science and Technology Facilities Council had appointed two women of colour as Council Members, while Innovate UK had recruited two generationally diverse VC entrepreneurs. The result is an organisation that’s led by highly capable leaders, who also bring diverse backgrounds, experience and perspectives.

Take the next step:

Find out more about Green Park’s Public Sector Search Practice.

Learn about our work for Central Government.