Stian Westlake, chief executive of the RSS, has announced that after nearly three years in post he will be stepping down at the end of May. He will be moving on to take up the role of executive chair of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
During his time as chief executive, Stian has led on the Society’s work on Covid-19, overseen a substantial increase in membership, and developed a range of new funding sources for RSS projects.
Commenting on his departure, RSS President Dr Andrew Garrett said: ‘Stian has made a great contribution to the Society, leaving it in a strong and healthy position. He has played a major role in increasing our profile, especially during the pandemic, while also ensuring our membership is well supported and continues to grow. On behalf of the trustees, I want to thank him for his service and wish him well in his new role.’
Stian commented: ‘It has been an honour to serve as chief executive of the Society, to work with its talented and diverse fellowship and lead its committed staff team. We have shown the vital role statistics can play in tackling urgent issues from Covid-19 to inflation to climate change, a role that is growing ever more important. I leave with great optimism for the Society’s future, and I look forward to seeing what it does next.’
A plan is in place to recruit Stian’s successor and a recruitment campaign will begin shortly.