Sir Ian Diamond Reappointed UK National Statistician

Professor Sir Ian Diamond has been appointed for a second term as the UK's National Statistician, for a period of five years. His new term will begin on 1 April 2023 and end on 31 March 2028.

The National Statistician is the CEO of the UK Statistics Authority, Permanent Secretary at the Office for National Statistics, and Head of the Government Statistical Service. Sir Ian (pictured) was first appointed to the post in 2019, and since that time, the authority has developed and launched its five-year strategy, 'Statistics for the Public Good'. Sir Ian led the UK's official statistical system and the Government Analysis Function through the COVID-19 pandemic, including the establishment of the COVID-19 Infection Survey, and the delivery of the 2021 Census in England & Wales, which achieved a 97% overall response rate. During his tenure, the Office for National Statistics has also opened new offices in Darlington and Manchester, and used new surveys and data sources to inform the public and government about the economy and cost of living.

Before joining, Sir Ian was Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen; CEO of the Economic and Social Research Council; Chair of the Research Councils UK Executive Group; and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Southampton. He is also a Fellow of the British Academy, Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Academy of Social Sciences.

Sir Robert Chote, Chair of the UK Statistics Authority, comments: 'Ian has provided fantastic leadership to the UK statistical system, delivering a successful census, addressing the demands of the covid pandemic and increasing cost of living, and driving ongoing digital transformation. The Authority Board is delighted that Ian has been reappointed and we look forward to continuing to work together to deliver statistics that serve the public good.'

Web site: www.statistics.gov.uk .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.