New Chief Operating Officer to reinforce NIAB’s role in UK agriculture innovation

Dr Martin Dougherty has been appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) of NIAB, the UK’s preeminent organisation for crop science.

Dr Dougherty brings 30 years of scientific, operational and leadership experience in the UK research and innovation sector. He is currently the COO of the Wellcome Sanger Institute and has previously held similar roles at the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology and the Royal Statistical Society.

Welcoming Dr Dougherty, Professor Mario Caccamo, NIAB’s CEO, said: ″We are delighted to appoint Martin and look forward to working with him in continuing our work, supporting the transformation of UK agriculture. Martin is a very experienced COO with a great track record in delivering for organisations that are recognised by their scientific excellence.″

In his new role as NIAB COO Dr Dougherty will be responsible for overseeing the corporate services and will also contribute to the development of business strategy to ensure the organisation remains fully aligned with NIAB’s stakeholders. He will take up his role at NIAB, in Cambridge, in November 2024.

Dr Dougherty said: ″I am very much looking forward to joining the Executive team at NIAB and for the opportunity to directly contribute to the development of UK agriculture. I strongly believe in the role that innovation will play in addressing the challenges emerging from climate change and the impact that food production could make to our lives.  As such NIAB is poised to lead the future direction of food and crop production.″