Non-Executive Board Member

About the Role

UKRI was founded in 2018 with a vision to drive ground-breaking research and innovation throughout the UK, whether in world-class universities, pioneering research institutes, or dynamic businesses and start-ups. By harnessing its combined strength and cross-cutting capabilities, UKRI is a key delivery partner for Government’s five missions and eight industrial strategy sectors. At the heart of UKRI’s mission to “advance knowledge, improve lives, drive growth” is its Board, a collective of experts and leaders drawn from business, industry, and academia, each bringing invaluable experience to guide UKRI forwards. The Board is not only a guardian of governance and accountability, but its members work together to set priorities, challenge assumptions, and ensure UKRI remains responsive to the changing needs of the research and innovation landscape and delivers for citizens.

We are seeking to appoint a new Non-Executive Board Member with strong financial credentials and experience. This individual will play a vital role in strengthening the Board’s financial expertise both directly in Board meetings and through representation on, and potentially, eventual leadership of, the Board’s Audit and Risk Assurance Committee. As UKRI continues to work to stimulate enterprise growth and foster new ventures across the UK, we are especially keen to attract leaders with diverse and distinguished backgrounds from every region of the UK and beyond. The richness of experience and diversity within our Board is fundamental to UKRI’s success and its ability to deliver lasting impact.

Your Skills and Experience

The UKRI Board is expected to provide clear strategic direction and oversight, promoting the importance of UK research and innovation, and supporting the senior leadership team of the organisation to embed effective ways of working across UKRI. We are seeking to complement the current Board by appointing a new Non-Executive member that can demonstrate the following experiences and attributes.

• Essential Criteria

• Proven accounting qualifications alongside experience of working in finance and/or risk management with an ability to ensure effective governance and risk management frameworks are in place.
• Knowledge: a clear understanding of the work, priorities and challenges of UKRI and the context within which it operates.
• Leadership: the ability to set strategic vision and drive forward UKRI’s priorities.

• One or more of the following would also be welcome:

• Extensive experience engaging with or within the devolved nations, with a strong understanding of their structures, policy frameworks, and operational dynamics.
• Previous experience serving on an Audit Committee, ideally as Chair, with a strong grasp of governance, risk, and assurance functions.
• Track record of leading or overseeing major research and development (R&D) programmes, particularly those with long‑term impact.
• Experience collaborating with Government on the development and implementation of science policy, including navigating political and regulatory environments.
• Background in the life sciences, with insight into the sector’s challenges, opportunities, and regulatory landscape.

Terms of Appointment

• Appointment Term: An initial period of up to 4 years
• Remuneration: £9,180 per annum based on a day rate of £459. Please note, remuneration and expenses are taxable.
• Time Commitment: 20 days per annum
• Location: Board meetings take place in London and Swindon and are attended in person. It is also the case that up to three meetings per year will take place in other locations across the UK.
• Nature of Appointment: This is a Public Appointment by the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology. The post holder would be an officeholder and would not be an employee of UKRI.
• Availability: Successful candidates will be encouraged to take up their appointment as soon as possible, following the successful completion of pre‑appointment checks and security clearance. Please note, UKRI reserves the right to run or re‑run security clearance as required during the individual’s time with the organisation.

Timescales and Selection

The selection process will consist of an interview and presentation. There may also be further fireside discussions that take place as the process evolves. Interviews will take place in London. The timeline for this campaign is indicative and therefore subject to change.

How to Apply

Your application should be submitted in two parts. Both parts must be submitted by 23:55 on Sunday 15th February 2026 in order for your application to be considered complete. Applications received after this date will not be considered.

• Part One: CV and Statement of Suitability

Please submit your application via the UKRI Careers Portal. You will need to supply:

• A CV
• A statement of suitability

You should aim for your CV and Statement of Suitability to be no longer than two to three pages each. Your Statement of Suitability should provide specific information about why you believe you would be suitable for appointment into a UKRI Non-Executive Board Member role and a flavour of what you would want to do in this role, if successful. Think about your knowledge, skills, experience, personal attributes, and vision for the organisation, and take full advantage of the space available. Use practical examples where possible and ensure you refer to the essential criteria for this role. Again, please aim for no more than 2 to 3 A4 pages.

Should you have any problem with submitting your application via the UKRI Careers Site, please do send an email to publicappointments@ukri.org with ‘UKRI Non-Executive Board Member’ in the subject heading. A member of our team will then be in touch.

• Part Two: Diversity Monitoring Form

Please also complete a Diversity Monitoring Form as part of your application at this link: Diversity Monitoring Form. On following the link, you will be asked to set up an account and provide your equality and outside interests information. Your application will not be considered without this.