IChemE Fellow appointed as UK science minister
28th July 2026
IChemE is delighted to welcome IChemE Fellow Chris McDonald as the UK’s new science minister, following the recent government reshuffle. McDonald succeeds Lord Patrick Vallance, who resigned from the role earlier this week.
McDonald was appointed as a Minister of State in the newly formed Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (DBIST) on 21 July, and has also been appointed a minister of state at the Department of Health and Social Care.
A chartered chemical engineer by training, McDonald holds a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Cambridge and an MBA from the University of Warwick. Before entering Parliament, he built a distinguished career in industrial research and innovation, including leadership roles at Tata Steel and as chief executive of the Materials Processing Institute.
Elected as MP for Stockton North in 2024, McDonald has remained closely connected to the research and innovation sector. As well as being FIChemE, he is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and has served on industrial advisory boards for several UK universities, alongside contributing to research funding and evaluation activities in the UK and Europe.
His appointment comes at a time of significant change for UK science and innovation policy. The government has merged the former Department for Science, Innovation and Technology with the Department for Business and Trade, creating DBIST and bringing science, research and innovation policy closer to the UK’s industrial strategy.
As science minister, McDonald is expected to oversee UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and play a key role in shaping the UK’s future research landscape, including discussions around participation in future European research programmes.
With a background spanning chemical engineering, industrial innovation, advanced materials and decarbonisation, McDonald brings extensive technical and leadership experience to the role. His appointment highlights the important contribution that chemical engineers can make to public policy and national decision-making.
Yvonne Baker, Chief Executive of IChemE, said: “We offer our warmest congratulations and support to Chris McDonald on his appointment as science minister. As a chemical engineer with extensive experience in industrial research and innovation Chris brings valuable technical expertise and a deep understanding of the role that science and engineering play in driving economic growth, sustainability and societal benefit.
“We look forward to working with him and the wider government to support innovation, skills development and evidence-based policymaking, and to ensure that chemical engineering continues to contribute to tackling some of the UK’s most pressing challenges.”
What is chemical engineering?
Chemical, biochemical and process engineering is the application of science, mathematics and economics in the process of turning raw materials into everyday, and more specialist, products. Professional chemical engineers design, construct and manage process operations all over the world. Energy, pharmaceuticals, food and drink, synthetic fibres and clean drinking water are just some of the industry sectors and products where chemical engineering plays a central role.
IChemE
The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) advances chemical engineering's contribution for the benefit of society. We facilitate the development of chemical engineering professionals and provide connections to a powerful network of around 32,000 members in more than 100 countries.
We support our members in applying their expertise and experience to make an influential contribution to solving major global challenges, and are the only organisation permitted to award Chartered Chemical Engineer status and Professional Process Safety Engineer registration.