Professor David Newbold Appointed as STFC Executive Director, National Laboratories Science and Technologies

Experimental particle physicist Professor David Newbold has commenced work as the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Executive Director, National Laboratories Science and Technologies.

Professor Newbold is an internationally recognised physicist who has made notable contributions to his field and who for the last five years has served as STFC Director of Particle Physics.

As Executive Director, National Laboratories Science and Technologies, Professor Newbold will oversee the activities of over 1,400 engineering, scientific and research staff across STFC departments which, due to their scale and complexity, are operated as a national research resource for the UK.

His previous scientific management and leadership posts include acting as UK lead and spokesperson on the Compact Muon Solenoid experiment, at the CERN Large Hadron Collider, and chair of the European Laboratory Directors Group.

As Executive Director, National Laboratories Science and Technologies, he will drive new plans to develop flagship STFC facilities and projects, at UK sites such as Boulby Underground Laboratory and internationally. Professor Newbold will also continue to champion sustainable big science, drawing on his experience shaping the strategic visions of large-scale facilities, and will provide leadership for STFC’s programmes in fundamental physics, astronomy, quantum technologies, AI, and Exascale computing.

The National Laboratories consist of:

• Accelerator Science and Technology Centre
• Central Laser Facility
• Hartree Centre
• ISIS Neutron and Muon Source
• National Quantum Computing Centre
• Particle Physics Department including Boulby Underground Laboratory
• RAL Space
• Scientific Computing Department
• Technology Department
• UK Astronomy Technology Centre