Wellcome has appointed John-Arne Røttingen as its first ever permanent chief executive, the health research foundation has announced.
Currently ambassador for global health at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in his native Norway, Røttingen will take up the post in January 2024.
Røttingen will succeed Jeremy Farrar, who stepped down as Wellcome’s director in February after a decade at the foundation.
Paul Schreier, who has led Wellcome as its interim CEO since Jeremy Farrar stepped down as director, will leave the charity early next year to pursue other opportunities at chief executive level.
Wellcome said it decided to update the term for its most senior role from director to chief executive when Farrer stepped down “to align with common practice” and because it is “a more accurate description of the role”.
Røttingen: ‘Philanthropy has a critical role to play’
Røttingen has previously worked with Wellcome as founding CEO of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation (CEPI), which the foundation helped to set up in 2017.
He began his career in basic discovery research, focusing on cellular calcium signalling, and trained as a medical doctor before transitioning to infectious disease epidemiology and global health.
Røttingen said: “It will be a privilege to lead Wellcome. I have long admired its inspiring work to bring the potential of science and discovery to society to build a healthier future.
“Philanthropy has a critical role to play in catalysing and complementing public and private research spend to improve health globally.
“I know well from my own experience the power of the support Wellcome gives science and scientists, backing basic research and ensuring transformative research achieves impact in the world.”
Chair thanks outgoing interim CEO
Julia Gillard, chair of Wellcome, said: “John-Arne brings to the role a drive to maximise impact, an inclusive leadership style and an outstanding record in his research fields of epidemiology and global health.
“Wellcome believes in the power of science to build a healthier future for everyone, and that science delivers the greatest change through collaborative action across society. John-Arne’s career and experience exemplify these beliefs.
“He has built a reputation as one of the world’s most effective and respected figures at the interface between science and advocacy at the highest global levels.
“I would like to extend the board’s thanks to Paul Schreier, who has led Wellcome with great skill since Jeremy Farrar’s departure.”
Wellcome has £40.3bn in investment assets, more than quadruple that of any other charity in England and Wales, according to the Charity Commission website.
It has committed to spending £16bn on science over the decade to 2032.
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