SCRI is to have a new Chairman. Peter Berry, a former Chief Executive of the Crown Agents, is to head the Governing Board.

He will take over from Professor Bernard King, who is stepping down at the end of his term of office.

Peter Berry is currently President of the Crown Agents Foundation. It was established in 1997 to succeed the government as the owner of the Crown Agents for Overseas Governments and Administrations.

He has been a member of the SCRI Governing Board since April 2007 and is also Chairman of SCRI’s commercial subsidiary, Mylnefield Research Services Ltd.

Mr Berry said: “I know from my international business experience that SCRI adds exceptional value to the Scottish economy.

“It is very exciting to be taking over as Chairman at a time when the Scottish Government is committed to getting the maximum value from the world-class standing of Scottish, scientific research.”

SCRI’s Chief Executive and Institute Director, Professor Peter Gregory, said: “We are delighted that Peter Berry has agreed to become Chairman of our Governing Board.

“SCRI is continuing to build academic and commercial links on a global basis. We have partnerships around the world and Peter Berry’s years of experience at home and overseas will be invaluable. We are very fortunate indeed that he has accepted the role of Chairman.”

Peter Berry was CEO and subsequently Chairman of the Crown Agents from 1988 to 2007, having been Director for Asia, Pacific and Middle East since 1982.

Mr Berry’s early career was in South East Asia with a large trading and plantation group and from 1973 to 1982 he was CEO of a UK company with plantation and agricultural engineering interests in South and South East Asia, East Africa and Europe.

He is chairman of one quoted investment trust, director of another and was until recently senior independent director of the construction company Kier Group plc. He is a retained advisor to the City of London Corporation on international affairs, having similarly advised the UK DTI for many years.

Mr Berry is deputy Chairman of the Charities Aid Foundation, a Director and Trustee of Charity Bank and UK President of the global coalition against corruption, Transparency International. He was brought up in Fife which remains his home. He was awarded the CMG (Companion, Order of St Michael and St George) in 1999 for services to humanitarian aid.

More information from:

Phil Taylor, Head of Communications, SCRI
Email: Phil.Taylor@scri.ac.uk