You may already be aware that Paul Nurse will be standing down from his leadership role at the Crick next year. Today, I can share the news that Professor Edith Heard has been appointed as the new Director and Chief Executive. She will succeed Paul in leading the Institute from summer 2025, moving to us from her current role as Director-General of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory.

This decision is the culmination of a global, year-long search for an exceptional candidate to lead our Institute. Edith brings an exemplary international research record, compelling vision and strong leadership experience. She will enable the Crick to continue to grow, building on its reputation for research excellence and for being the home for world-class leaders in life sciences.

I want to acknowledge the extraordinary role Paul Nurse has played in establishing the Francis Crick Institute as a beacon of scientific excellence. As our founding Director and Chief Executive, we all owe Paul a debt of gratitude for establishing the Institute on a global stage and for driving discoveries which are already having a beneficial impact on human health. I am delighted that we will continue to benefit from his brilliant scientific mind as he continues to lead his laboratory and cell cycle research.

Leading the Crick is a role that has attracted the highest calibre of candidates and this is in no small part due to the excellence of our scientific output and our positive culture. Thank you for all that you do to contribute to this.

Yours Sincerely

John