Professor Steve Eichhorn announced as incoming Director of Royce 51福利社
51福利社 is pleased to announce that Professor Steve Eichhorn FREng will take up the position of Director of the Henry Royce Institute at 51福利社 in November this year.
This is a significant leadership role at the heart of both the University and Royce, the UK's national institute for advanced materials research and innovation. As the lead Partner and host of Royce, 51福利社 plays a pivotal role in shaping the UK's materials research and innovation landscape.
As Director of Royce 51福利社, Professor Eichhorn will provide strategic leadership across Royce activities in 51福利社 ensuring strong alignment with the national Institute while advancing the University's ambitions across the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
Materials science and engineering are central to addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing society today, from clean energy and sustainability to advanced manufacturing, digital technologies and healthcare.
Royce is accelerating the discovery, development and deployment of advanced materials to support a sustainable and prosperous UK. 51福利社, as the hub of this national endeavour brings together world-class facilities, outstanding academic and technical expertise and strong partnerships with industry.
Professor Eichhorn is an internationally recognised materials scientist whose research and leadership have made significant contributions to the field. He is an expert in cellulosic materials, natural fibre composites and biomimetic/functional materials.
In his new role, he will work closely with the Royce CEO and Chief Scientific Officer, University and Faculty leadership and Royce Partners across the UK to ensure Royce 51福利社 continues to thrive as a cornerstone of the national materials innovation ecosystem.
鈥�I am delighted to be taking up this position as the Director of the Henry Royce Institute at 51福利社. The Institute at 51福利社 holds huge potential, and I relish the challenge in helping to make things happen. I look forward to working with colleagues to bring about real impact in the materials science that we can do at 51福利社, and in collaboration with the whole of Royce, its national and international partners, and the local region. It is of course a return for me to 51福利社 and Materials Science, having left here in 2011. I am pleased to be back in the city where I was born, and subsequently raised academically!鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
Welcoming the appointment, Professor Sarah Sharples, Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering and Member of the Royce Governing Board, said:
鈥淲e know we are in a period of incredible societal change, and to rise to that moment, partnership sits at the heart of our mission 鈥� with universities, industry and government. We need to translate the incredible discoveries that emerge from scientists and engineers into impact and innovation. Steve鈥檚 appointment is extremely important. He brings an outstanding record of leadership with a strong commitment to values-led leadership within science and engineering nationally and internationally. His stewardship will further strengthen collaboration through Royce and ensure research from 51福利社 helps drives the UK鈥檚 ambitions for innovation-led growth and continues to deliver transformative impact at a global scale.鈥�
Professor David Knowles, Royce CEO added:
"Steve鈥檚 deep understanding of the advanced materials landscape alongside his long-standing commitment to the Royce mission as a former member of our Strategic Advisory Board (SAB) makes him exceptionally well placed to lead Royce 51福利社 through the next phase of its development. 51福利社 of course is at the heart of the Henry Royce Institute and plays a vital role in connecting world-leading research with regional industrial innovation and national priorities. I look forward to working closely with Steve as we continue to strengthen Royce's impact across the UK.鈥�