Advanced Research and Invention Agency Bill (First sitting)

Virginia Crosbie Excerpts

Wednesday 14th April 2021 Public Bill Committees

[Aaron Bell]

Understood, thank you. I had better hand on, as we are running out of time.

[Virginia Crosbie (Ynys Môn) (Con)]

Q It is a pleasure to serve on this Committee, particularly as a scientist. Dame Ottoline said one of the challenges was finding the right people to lead ARIA and that they were in short supply. Tris said that ARIA was about identifying visionary leaders with extraordinary ideas. My question to both of you is, how much is the success of ARIA linked to finding the right people to lead it? Are you confident that we can find them?

[The Chair]

If you are both answering, you have about a minute each.

Professor Leyser: I think it is crucial for the success of ARIA—it is everything. We need to go into the search process with absolute resolve to wait until we find the right people, and not appoint people just because there is a vacancy.

Tris Dyson: I agree with that. I would also say that the primary thing would be the mindset and agility, rather than necessarily focusing on a private sector background, a science background or whatever. You need people with the right creative and entrepreneurial mindset.