The Panel report of the organisational review of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) has been published by Research Councils UK (RCUK). The report was commissioned by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) in June 2008. The review assesses the organisational structure and operation of STFC. STFC was created in 2007 by the merger of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) and the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils (CCLRC).
The review was conducted as a two stage process, where STFC first prepared a self assessment document against criteria agreed with DIUS. In the second stage, the self assessment document was considered by a Panel of external experts, charged with reaching an independent view on the organisation and operation of STFC. This review is a pilot for one possible approach to a potential series of similar reviews planned by DIUS.
A series of recommendations have been produced by the Panel, concentrating on areas where the Panel feels that advice from an independent group with significant experience of senior management would be beneficial. The Panel congratulated STFC on the work involved in preparing the self assessment document to a tight timescale and commended the STFC Executive for continuing the operations of STFC's predecessor bodies. STFC's Council and management welcomed the Panel's thorough assessment of their organisational structure and practices, and thanked the Panel members. The STFC self assessment, and response to the Panel’s recommendations are also published today.
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Notes for editors
Background to the review
The organisational review of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) was announced by the Department for Innovation Universities and Skills (DIUS) and STFC in June 2008. The announcement was made in the Government response to the inquiry by the Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Select Committee into the Science Budget Allocations in the last comprehensive spending review.
Overview of process used by the external Panel
Dr David Grant (Vice Chancellor, Cardiff University) was appointed by DIUS, STFC and Research Councils UK (RCUK) to chair the external review Panel. In consultation with the chair, DIUS, STFC and RCUK agreed the following membership for the external review Panel:
Mr Mark Addison - Former Director General at Defra, Chief Executive of the Crown Prosecution Service
Mr Peter Hazell - (Chair from November 2008) Chairman of the Argent Group and non- Executive Director of BRIT Insurance Holdings PLC, UK Coal PLC, and Smith & Williamson Ltd. Ex-Managing Partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers UK
Professor Sir Martin Sweeting - University of Surrey and Executive Chairman of Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd
Professor Alan Thorpe - Chief Executive of the Natural Environment Research Council
David Grant stepped down from the role of chair for health reasons at the beginning of November 2008, and Peter Hazell took over as Chair.
An independent secretariat to the Panel was provided by the RCUK Strategy Unit.
The report
In preparing the report, the Panel considered a range of evidence, which can be summarised as follows:
- The self assessment prepared by STFC, and its accompanying evidence base. The self assessment document is published in parallel to this report.
- Additional documentary evidence requested by the Panel from STFC. A list of additional information considered is provided in Annex B.
- Interviews with the chair of STFC, senior staff from the STFC executive and external stakeholders in STFC. Some of these interviews were carried out by the whole Panel, while in other cases only the chair attended. A list of those consulted via interviews is provided in Annex B.
- Written evidence requested by the Panel from external stakeholders. A list of those consulted in writing is provided in Annex B.
Additional information
The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) today launches a consultation on its strategy, which will be open until 20th March 2009. The emerging strategy outlines the overarching vision and strategic aims of the Council and details the Operational Strategy for Science, Technology & Facilities, along with the approach to Economic Impact and Education & Skills Training.
About Research Councils UK
The seven Research Councils are independent non-departmental public bodies, funded by the Science and Research Budget through the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS). They are incorporated by Royal Charter and together manage a research budget of around £3 billion a year.
Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the partnership between the UK's seven Research Councils. Through RCUK, the Research Councils work together to champion the research, training and innovation they support.
The seven UK Research Councils are:
- Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);
- Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
- Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC);
- Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);
- Medical Research Council (MRC);
- Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);
- Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC).
Contact
Chloë Somers
RCUK Press Officer
Tel: 01793 444592