UKRI appoints ‘transformation director’ to lead restructuring

Umbrella funding body UK Research and Innovation has appointed Geoff Robins to lead its controversial transformation programme.

As transformation director, Robins will be responsible for driving the funder’s restructure, which aims to reduce costs and integrate the back-office functions of the nine bodies that were brought under UKRI a year ago.

Robins, who started the role on 7 May, was formerly transformation director for Defence Equipment and Support, an arm’s length body of the Ministry of Defence. Before that, he was group managing director at Atkins Aerospace, Defence and Communications, and managing director at the consulting firm Advantage Business Group.