Professor David Gann CBE, a Fellow by Special Election at Magdalen, has been appointed as the inaugural Chair of UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) the delivery body for STEP – a prototype fusion energy plant to be built at West Burton in Nottinghamshire.
David is Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Development and External Affairs at the University of Oxford, a member of the UK Government’s Innovation Expert Group, a non-executive director of Directa Plus plc, and non-executive director of VenCap International plc. He was also Chair of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) from 2018.
David was previously Vice-President (Innovation) at Imperial College London (2013-19), and Professor of Innovation and Technology Management at Imperial College Business School (2003-20). He has formed five companies, mentors start-ups, and advises boards on innovation and technology management. He was elected to a Fellowship by Special Election at Magdalen College in March 2021.
“I am delighted to become UKIFS’ inaugural Chair, leading the UK’s programme to create a working fusion powerplant, demonstrating that we can produce electricity onto the grid,” said David.
“UKIFS will also expand the UK’s capabilities in fusion science and technology, developing industrial capability, creating new investment opportunities, new high-quality jobs, and extending our leadership in the transition to low carbon energy systems.”