Wellcome Trust Director, Sir Mark Walport, has been appointed as the UK's Chief Scientific advisor as from April 2013.  This means that Sir Mark will step down as Director of  the Wellcome Trust   early next year and succeed the current UK Government Chief Scientific Adviser,  Sir John Beddington.

Walport, said he was "delighted and honoured" to have been appointed. "Science, engineering and technology have transformed the infrastructure of the modern world, and have a vital role to play at the heart of policy making," he said.

"They are critical both to economic recovery and growth, and to addressing many of the greatest challenges of our time, such as environmental change and the ageing population. I look forward to working with colleagues both inside and outside government to ensure that the best possible advice can be provided from the most expert sources, based on the strongest evidence, to facilitate the wisest possible policy decisions." he added.

For more information see:

• Sir Mark Walport, director of Wellcome Trust, appointed to take over as UK Government Chief Scientific Adviser

• Sir Mark Walport appointed as UK's next chief scientific adviser