We are pleased to announce that RSS Council has chosen its nominee for the next RSS President. Council recommends Dr Andrew Garrett for the position once Professor Sylvia Richardson's term of office comes to a close at the end of this year.
Having taken into account all the suggestions received from the membership, the President Nominating Committee recommended that Andy be nominated, which was endorsed by Council in early September. This follows Professor David Firth withdrawing as President Elect earlier this year due to health reasons.
Andy is Executive Vice President of Scientific Operations at the clinical research organisation, ICON plc where he is responsible for the strategic direction and operational delivery of a range of clinical trial services. Previously he has held various biostatistics managerial positions in the pharmaceutical industry, including as Vice President of Biostatistics, Medical Writing and Regulatory Affairs at Quintiles (now IQVIA).
Andy was a Board member of the UK’s Administrative Data Research Network, which promoted and guarded the linkage of administrative data for research and policy purposes, providing assurance to Parliament through the UK Statistics Authority. Subsequently Andy joined the UKSA’s Research Accreditation Panel, which oversees the approval of research projects in accordance with the Digital Economy Act 2018. In 2016, he was commissioned by the National Statistician to undertake an independent review to ensure that Methodology in the Office for National Statistics (ONS) met user needs and was prepared for changing demands.
Having joined the RSS in 1984, Andy has been an active member of the Society. He was elected to RSS Council in 2003 and served on Executive Committee from 2004-2010, becoming a Vice President in 2008. In 2013 he chaired the Long Term Strategy Group that led to the RSS tag line Data, Evidence, Decisions and initiatives such as Statisticians for Society. More recently, he formed the Data Science Section and was the chair of the group for its first two years.
In response to his nomination, Andy said, “I am thrilled to have Council put my name forward to the membership. The RSS has a rich history and provides a warm welcome to all those interested in data, whilst also supporting academia and our professional statisticians and now data scientists. From climate change to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the need for reliable and robust data has never been more important to policy makers and the public alike, and the Society continues to have an important role to play as an authoritative and trusted voice.”
In accordance with the Society’s Charter and Bylaws, Council invites RSS fellows to nominate an alternative, eligible and willing fellow to stand for the election as President.
The person nominated should give written approval to their nominator, agreeing to run in the election and, if successful, to undertake the role from early 2023 until 31 December 2024. Six fellows must put forward any nomination for this position.
Nominations should be sent to RSS CEO,
Stian Westlake by 18 October 2022
. Any alternative candidates nominated by this time will be entered into the election with Dr Garrett.