Dr Stuart Wainwright OBE took up his position as Chief Executive of the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) in June 2023. UKCEH is a world-leading independent research institute whose ambition is to make the world a better place through science addressing climate change, promoting biodiversity, and creating sustainable ecosystems.

Stuart has extensive experience of leadership, strategy, science and policy from several roles across government. He was Director of the Government Office for Science from 2019 to 2023, and has held senior roles concerning science, security, resilience and the environment in Cabinet Office and Defra.