5 Our questioning
20. Taking responsibility for the overall direction
and strategy of BBSRC involves the effective delivery of a budget
that will rise to £471 million in 2010-11[30]
and the provision of both fundamental and strategic science in
fields that impact greatly on quality of life. We questioned Professor
Blundell about his independence, priorities and the recruitment
process. We felt it was important to discuss key policy issues
that will affect his ability to deliver BBSRC's mission. We also
discussed the fact that this appointment broke the previous pattern
of an "industrialist" Chair with an "academic"
Chief Executive, although Professor Blundell noted that he has
experience of the business world. Areas of questioning included:
- his suitability for the role,
including his approach to a non-executive role given his experience
as founding Chief Executive of the BBSRC;
- his personal independence, including potential
conflicts of interest arising from the fact that he had been in
receipt of BBSRC funding;
- the relationship between BBSRC and Government,
the impact of strategic focusing of science funding, and the redevelopment
of the Institute for Animal Health at Pirbright;
- current and future priorities for BBSRC, including
the 2009-2013 Strategic Plan and knowledge transfer.
21. A transcript of the hearing is printed with this
report.
30 DIUS, The Allocations of the Science Budget 2008/09
to 2010/11, December 2007, p 29 Back
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