Medical Research Council selects Royal Mail’s Donald Brydon as new chair

The UK's Medical Research Council (MRC) has appointed Donald Brydon from the Royal Mail Group as its new chair.

He will take over from John Chisholm in October at the MRC, a publicly-funded organisation focused on healthcare research.

Although having little experience in healthcare, Brydon has served in senior roles across a variety of industries, including engineering firm Smiths Group, the London Metal Exchange and AXA Investment Managers.

Prior to this, he spent nearly 20 years at Barclays Group, where his most senior role was as deputy chief executive of its investment banking arm BZW.

In his new role, Brydon will work with the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), MRC chief executive Professor Sir John Savill and MRC council members to develop the organisation's strategic direction and policies, as well as working to improve links with the research community.

"I am very pleased to welcome Donald as chair of the Medical Research Council,” said business secretary Vince Cable.

”His high level experience of business and government makes him well qualified to provide a strong contribution to the leadership and work of the Council."

Brydon said: "I am honoured to have been asked to chair the Medical Research Council. Its work contributing to the health and wellbeing of society is of the highest importance."