Dame Angela McLean to be UK’s first female chief scientific adviser

Professor of mathematical biology to succeed Sir Patrick Vallance after advising MoD and working with Sage during pandemic

Dame Angela McLean has been appointed as the UK's chief scientific adviser - the first woman to hold the post.

McLean will take over the role of providing independent scientific advice to the prime minister and members of the cabinet on 1 April, after the end of Sir Patrick Vallance's five-year term. She will also advise on aspects of science and technology policy, and work to improve the quality and use of scientific evidence and advice in government.