UKRI announces new chair of BGS board
Prof. Paul Monks CB to step into the role later this year, succeeding Prof. Sir Keith O’Nions
UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) has announced the appointment of the new chair of the British Geological Survey (BGS) board. Prof Paul Monks CB is currently the chief scientific advisor for the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) and will join the board when he finishes this role later in the year. He will replace the current chair of the BGS board, Prof Sir Keith O’Nions.
As chief scientific advisor, Prof. Monks delivers independent and impartial science and engineering advice to ministers and decision makers across the department’s policy and delivery portfolio and the Clean Energy Superpower mission.
He also works closely with the Government chief scientific advisor, the cross-government network of departmental scientific advisors, and the DESNZ chief analyst, to strengthen the links within and across departments, encouraging effective engagement and knowledge sharing, and to support delivery of a robust evidence base to underpin policy decisions.
Prior to joining the department, Prof. Monks was pro-vice-chancellor and head of the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Leicester, where he remains a professor in atmospheric chemistry and Earth observation science. He was awarded the Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the King’s New Year Honours 2025 for services to science in Government.
As BGS board chair, Prof. Monks will be a key advisor to the executive chair of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and will support the BGS director in their business planning and strategic direction as part of UKRI.
Prof. Monks said: ‘I am delighted to take up the role and build on the work of my predecessor Sir Keith O’Nions. In my view, BGS has a critical role in the national and international landscape as a trusted provider of impartial, independent geoscientific advice and data to governments, the public and private-sector organizations.
‘I see every day the importance of BGS science and services with its centrality to the challenges of decarbonizing our economy, whether that be for critical minerals, geothermal, mine remediation, waste storage, or carbon capture. The subsurface is at the frontier of net zero.
‘I look forward to working with BGS, UKRI-NERC, and the wider geoscience community to ensure evolution and impact of the BGS capacity and capability.’
BGS director Dr Karen Hanghøj said: ‘I am delighted at the prospect of working alongside Paul at this important time in BGS’s journey forward – to draw on his expertise as we take the organization forward and optimize the impact of geoscience in addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing society.’
Prof Louise Heathwaite CBE FRS, NERC executive chair, added: ‘I am so pleased to welcome Paul into this important role for both NERC and BGS, following the excellent record set by Sir Keith in strengthening and maintaining strong relations and careful planning across BGS since the formation of UKRI.
‘I look forward to continuing to build on this as we look ahead. At no point has the importance of the subsurface in supporting life on Earth been greater both globally and at the individual citizen level – our future does depend on it.’
