20 January 2010
The Royal Statistical Society has welcomed the announcement of
the appointment from 1 April 2010 of renowned statistician and
current Society president, Professor Bernard Silverman, as Chief
Scientific Adviser to the Home
Office.
Commenting on his appointment, Professor Silverman said:
"I am excited to be taking up this appointment and look
forward to making my own contribution to the vital process of
providing good scientific advice to government.
Because of the Royal Statistical Society's crucial role as an
independent voice in the official and public arena, it would be
inappropriately confusing for me to serve as President at the same
time, and so I have decided to stand down from the
Presidency. I am, of course, looking
forward to continuing to serve the Society as a Council Member and
Past-President."
Speaking for the Society, vice-president and honorary
secretary, Dr Andy Garrett, said:
"The Royal Statistical Society is delighted for Bernard on his
appointment. It is a recognition of his immense knowledge and
expertise in the field of statistics. We are
also delighted that this means a leading statistician will be able
to ensure that statistics is at the core of scientific opinion for
this major government department, together with an important and
broader role at the highest level of scientific advice within the
network led by Chief Scientific Adviser to Government, Professor
John Beddington.
"Bernard's appointment is, of course, tinged with sadness in
that he will be standing down as Society president. Bernard had
just started his term as president and we were looking forward to
an exciting two years under his leadership, with his enthusiasm for
our whole range of activities and involvement."
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