The Board of Trustees of the Royal Institution of Great Britain (Ri) has today confirmed that Professor Sarah Harper has resigned her position as Director of the Ri and has left the organisation.
The Ri will begin recruitment of a new Director to lead the organisation at the earliest opportunity.
In the meantime Michael de Crespigny, the Ri’s Director of Finance, will take over the day to day management of the Ri as Chief Operating Officer. He and Prof. Gail Cardew, the Ri’s Director of Science & Education responsible for programmes, marketing and fundraising, will jointly report to the Chair of the Board of Trustees, Sir Richard Sykes FRS.
Sir Richard Sykes said: “At a time when there are significant political and economic changes taking place in our society, the role of the Ri as a forum for public engagement with science is indisputable.
“Our great building has been alive in recent weeks with young people attending our sold-out Summer Schools, our Autumn Programme of public lectures is proving as popular as ever, and we have just announced the titles for this year’s CHRISTMAS LECTURES along with the name of the leading scientist who will deliver them.
“And we have exciting plans for the future; plans that reflect the key role the Ri can play to stimulate open and critical public debate, not just about science itself, but also the ethical, moral and social implications of science.
“I look forward to confirming the appointment of a new Director of the Ri in due course.”