What Does UK Research and Innovation Do?

Total employees1401
HeadquartersSwindon
Founded

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is a non-departmental public body of the UK government that directs research and innovation funding, sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). Established in 2018, UKRI brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England (which is responsible for supporting research and knowledge exchange at higher education institutions in England), and Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency. Its mission is to convene, catalyse and invest in research and innovation to build a thriving, inclusive and resilient UK. UKRI works with universities, research organisations, businesses, charities, and government to create the best possible environment for research and innovation to flourish.

Where Is UK Research and Innovation's Headquarters?

UK Research and Innovation officeUK Research and Innovation officeUK Research and Innovation officeUK Research and Innovation office
*Images sourced via web search. Rights belong to original owners

HQ Function

The Swindon headquarters serves as the main administrative and strategic hub for UKRI, overseeing the allocation of research funding, policy development, and coordination across its constituent councils and national research facilities.

Notable Features:

Polaris House is a modern office complex designed to facilitate collaboration and efficient administration for a large national organization. It houses central corporate functions and provides a base for leadership.

Work Culture:

The work culture at UKRI's HQ emphasizes collaboration, public service, strategic thinking, and a commitment to fostering a world-class research and innovation system for the UK. It involves working with diverse stakeholders from academia, industry, and government.

HQ Significance:

As the nerve center of UKRI, the Swindon headquarters is pivotal in shaping the UK's research landscape, distributing billions in funding, and driving national strategic priorities in science and innovation.

Values Reflected in HQ: The headquarters operation aims to reflect UKRI's core values of collaboration, excellence, integrity, and impact, by providing an efficient and effective base for its national mission.

Location:

UKRI has a significant global footprint aimed at fostering international research collaborations, promoting UK research excellence, and addressing global challenges. This includes dedicated overseas teams and offices in key strategic locations such as Brussels (UKRO - UK Research Office), Washington D.C. (USA), Beijing (China), and New Delhi (India). These international outposts facilitate partnerships, gather intelligence on global R&I trends, and support UK researchers engaging internationally.

Street Address:

Polaris House, North Star Avenue

City:

Swindon

State/Province:

Wiltshire

Country:

United Kingdom

Where Else Does UK Research and Innovation Operate Around the World?

London, England, United Kingdom

Address: 7th Floor, Caxton House, Tothill Street, London, SW1H 9NA (multiple London sites exist for different functions)

Facilitates direct interaction with Parliament, central government, and London-based national and international organizations relevant to research and innovation.

Didcot, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

Address: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0QX

Provides world-class research facilities and expertise to UK and international researchers, fostering scientific discovery and technological advancement at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus.

Daresbury, Cheshire, United Kingdom

Address: Daresbury Laboratory, Sci-Tech Daresbury, Keckwick Lane, Daresbury, WA4 4AD

Supports research and innovation in the North of England, providing vital infrastructure and collaborative opportunities for scientists and businesses.

Buying Intent Signals for UK Research and Innovation

Highperformr Signals uncover buying intent and give you clear insights to target the right accounts at the right time — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams close more deals, faster.

Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
*Example signal, not calculated in real time

Who's Leading UK Research and Innovation? Meet the Executive Team

As of April 2025, UK Research and Innovation' leadership includes:

Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser - Chief Executive Officer
Mike Laven - Chief Financial Officer
Indro Mukerjee - Executive Chair, Innovate UK
Professor Charlotte Deane - Executive Chair, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
Professor Melanie Welham - Executive Chair, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
Professor Sria Chatterjee - Executive Chair, Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
Isabel Strafford - Chief People Officer

Who's Investing in UK Research and Innovation?

UK Research and Innovation has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:

UK Government (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology - DSIT)

What Leadership Changes Has UK Research and Innovation Seen Recently?

Hire3
Exits1

UKRI has seen several key leadership appointments and transitions in the past 12-18 months, strengthening its executive team and council leadership. This includes new appointments for Chief Financial Officer, Chief People Officer, and the Executive Chair of the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

Departures

Professor Christopher Smith, Professor Christopher Smith stepped down from his role as Executive Chair of AHRC.

New Appointments:

Mike Laven, Mike Laven was appointed as the new Chief Financial Officer for UKRI.
Isabel Strafford, Isabel Strafford was appointed as the new Chief People Officer for UKRI.
Professor Sria Chatterjee, Professor Sria Chatterjee began her tenure as the new Executive Chair of AHRC.

What Technology (Tech Stack) Is Used byUK Research and Innovation?

Discover the tools UK Research and Innovation uses. Highperformr reveals the technologies powering your target accounts — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams prioritize smarter and close faster.

UK Research and Innovation Email Formats and Examples

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) primarily uses the 'firstname.lastname@ukri.org' email format for its employees. Variations may exist for specific councils or roles, but this is the most common structure.

firstname.lastname@ukri.org

Format

john.smith@ukri.org

Example

90%

Success rate

What's the Latest News About UK Research and Innovation?

ukri.org • 2024-05-21

UKRI backs next generation of research and innovation leaders with £119 million investment

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has announced a £119 million investment to support the next generation of research and innovation leaders through its Future Leaders Fellowships programme. This funding will help talented individuals tackle ambitious research questions and develop innovative solutions....more

ukri.org • 2024-05-16

UKRI invests £53 million in research to tackle antimicrobial resistance

UKRI is investing £53 million in new research projects aimed at combating the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The funding will support innovative approaches to understanding, preventing, and treating drug-resistant infections....more

ukri.org • 2024-04-25

UKRI and Korean research foundations launch joint centre to strengthen science collaboration

UKRI, alongside the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP), has launched a new UK-Korea Joint Research Centre. This initiative aims to enhance bilateral research collaboration in key scientific areas....more

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