Rowan Sutton to lead Met Office research centre

Professor Rowan Sutton is to step down as Research Dean for Environment to take up a position leading a major Met Office climate research centre.

Rowan has accepted a three-year secondment as Director of the Met Office Hadley Centre for Climate Science and Services, starting 1 August.

He will retain a part time role (one day per week) at the University and National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS) alongside the secondment.

Rowan was appointed Research Dean in August 2022, and has shared the role with Professor Tom Oliver since November that year.

He has held a number of senior positions, including Chair of the Hadley Centre Science Review Group and Director of Climate Research for NCAS, and was a lead author for the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report.

The Hadley Centre is one of the UK’s foremost climate change research centres. It works with partners around the world to provide research and services that help people and organisations with their decision-making in the face of a changing climate.

Rowan said: “The opportunity to serve as Director of the Hadley Centre is a great privilege at a time when the challenges of climate change are more urgent than ever.

“I have much enjoyed my role as Research Dean at Reading and am sad to be stepping down. However, I’m delighted that during my secondment I will continue to spend time regularly at the University, and be able to continue collaborations with many fantastic colleagues.”

Parveen said: “Rowan has had huge impact in his role as Research Dean, particularly in joining up the University’s vision for sustainability with our research strengths in this area.

“He has made an invaluable contribution to the senior research team and although we will be sorry to see him leave his role, the secondment offers a fantastic opportunity for him and we wish him the best.”

Professor Stephen Belcher, Chief of Science and Technology at the Met Office, said: “Rowan is recognised internationally as one of the biggest hitters in climate science and he brings great distinction to the Met Office. His broad experience of leadership in national and international research and the policy and funding landscapes will be vital as we move into a tough phase of the world's response to the climate crisis.”

The University will be appointing a replacement for Rowan, and this 0.5 job share vacancy will advertised in the coming weeks.