A new chapter: We’re looking for ARIA’s next CEO

In creating ARIA, the UK government recognised an opportunity for a new, experimental model of R&D to transform the future of the UK – and we have moved fast to seize the moment and attract the best talent and ideas to our programmes. In under three years, ARIA has gone from a powerful mandate from Parliament to a fully operational agency driving some of the most ambitious R&D efforts in the UK.

We’ve assembled an exceptional team, including 16 Programme Directors who are leading breakthrough efforts ranging from precision neurotechnologies to bioenergetic engineering and new computing paradigms for AI. Together, we’ve committed over £400 million to R&D that’s too speculative or difficult to pursue elsewhere, but that could lead to transformative benefits.

That work is being driven from right here in the UK – by scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs with the ambition to change the world.

Earlier this month, the government confirmed its support for ARIA through 2030. It’s a clear signal of confidence in our potential to deliver growth and prosperity for the country, and a mandate to keep building at pace.

We’re approaching a natural end to ARIA’s first chapter. But for ARIA to succeed in our long-term ambition, we will have to continually re-evaluate our assumptions and challenge ourselves to remain at the edge of the possible.

Which brings us to today.

From the outset, the CEO role was designed to be time-bound – a deliberate way to keep ARIA ambitious, dynamic, and open to fresh thinking over time. With ARIA’s foundations firmly in place – a clear mission, a world-class team, programmes in motion, and long-term government backing secured – we’re primed to attract the world’s best to build on that foundation and lead ARIA through its next phase with ambition and momentum.

As we search for ARIA’s next CEO, Ilan will continue in role, working closely with the Board and our Executive Team. Together, they remain focused on setting up our people and programmes for success – and, when the time comes, on ensuring a smooth handover.

Ilan Gur, CEO, ARIA. “ARIA was designed to take bold steps that maximise scale of impact in the long term. It’s hard to imagine leaving the most important and fulfilling job of my career, but the bold step is to recognise that there is no better time than now to find ARIA’s next CEO, and to empower them with a strong foundation, an amazing team, and a clear runway of funding to make their mark.”

Matt Clifford, Chair, ARIA said: "Ilan has been integral to making ARIA what it is today. Thanks to his leadership, we're ready to take the next leap forward. The appetite for problem-driven science has never been stronger and ARIA is uniquely positioned to fund the boldest, most ambitious R&D tackling humanity’s biggest challenges. This is a rare opportunity to shape an organisation built to enable visionary people and breakthrough ideas to thrive.”

The UK is in a unique position: combining scientific excellence, creative energy, and entrepreneurial ambition – and backed by the Government's will to lead in science and technology. As Ilan says, this ecosystem is primed for an exothermic reaction. ARIA is a catalyst within it – helping create the conditions for breakthrough discoveries to emerge.

Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, said: “Ilan has done an outstanding job turning ARIA from a bold idea into a thriving agency attracting world-class talent and backing high-risk research. This Government is backing its incredible projects with at least £1 billion so we can build on that excellent work and unlock more breakthroughs. The mission for the next CEO remains pursuing frontier science, and turning it into the new industries, jobs and technologies that will drive the growth at the heart of our Plan for Change.”

Launching a global search

ARIA is today launching a global search. We're looking for a leader who knows what it takes to oversee cutting-edge research projects that translate into real-world applications. Someone with proven achievements in science and technology, the creative ambition to inspire teams beyond traditional boundaries, and the executive experience to build partnerships that deliver transformative R&D impact.

Candidates should submit applications by 3 August. The process will be supported by an interview panel comprising the Chair, Dame Angela Maclean, Jason Chin and Cheryl Martin. The appointment will be made by the Chair, after consultation with the Non-Executive Directors, and approved by the Secretary of State.

For more details about the role, see here. Read more from Ilan here.