The Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering names Sir Patrick Vallance as new Chair of Trustees

The Board of Trustees of the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering Foundation has announced the appointment of Sir Patrick Vallance as the Foundation’s new Chair. Sir Patrick will succeed Lord Browne of Madingley who has served as Chair since the inception of the QEPrize in 2011. Lord Browne’s term of office as Chairman and Trustee ends on 18 April.

Sir Patrick was the UK Government Chief Scientific Adviser from 2018 to 2023 and was Chief Scientific Advisor for COP26. He was Global President of R&D for GSK until 2018 and prior to that was Professor of Medicine and led the Division of Medicine at UCL.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Society, Academy of Medical Sciences, Royal College of Physicians and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. He has been knighted twice for contributions to science.

Speaking about Sir Patrick’s appointment, Dr Hayaatun Sillem CBE, CEO of the QEPrize, said: “The Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of Sir Patrick Vallance as its new Chair. A distinguished leader who has made transformational contributions to science and innovation and their impact on society, and a longstanding advocate for engineering, Sir Patrick is ideally suited to guide the QEPrize through its next chapter of growth.

“We are deeply grateful to Lord Browne for his significant contribution to the success of the QEPrize, having worked with the Board to build the globally recognised award that we see today. During its first ten years, the QEPrize Foundation has secured substantial funding and significantly expanded its reach, while delivering meaningful collaborations and raising the profile of engineering innovation on a global scale.”

Lord Browne of Madingley, outgoing Chairman of the QEPrize Foundation, added: “It has been a privilege to help found and shape this remarkable award and I cannot think of a better placed successor than Sir Patrick. Together with the Trustee Board and Foundation staff, we have created an amazing Prize and a global ambassador community. Knowing that Sir Patrick will be taking the reins only enhances my confidence in the future of the QEPrize.”

Sir Patrick Vallance said: “Lord Browne has done an outstanding job in leading the development of this top award for engineering. I am honoured that the QEPrize Foundation Trustees have given me the opportunity to lead this unique organisation, which has recognised some of the greatest developments of modern engineering. I look forward to working with the Board and the staff team to deliver on our charitable objectives – celebrating the very best in global engineering and inspiring the next generation of talented engineers.”

The Board of Trustees has also announced the appointment of three new Trustees. Yewande Akinola, Dr Robert Langer, and Dame Anne Richards will join the Board, also with effect from 18 April.

Yewande is a Chartered Engineer, innovator, consultant & speaker. Yewande currently sits on the governing body at the University of Warwick & is a Visiting Professor at the University of Westminster.

Robert is the David H. Koch Institute Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a QEPrize Laureate, recognised in 2015 for his revolutionary advances & leadership in engineering at the interface with chemistry & medicine.

Anne is Vice Chair of global investment management firm Fidelity International, having joined as CEO in December 2018. Anne is a Chartered Engineer & was appointed a Dame Commander (DBE) in June 2021 for services to Financial Services, Women, Education and Science.

We look forward to working with Sir Patrick and the new Trustees over the coming years.