Professor Sir Paul Curran will join the MS Society as our new Chair of the Board in early July.
Sir Paul started his career as a university academic, and was a NASA research scientist and advisor to the European Space Agency. More recently he was a university leader, serving as President of City, University of London for over a decade and previously as Vice-Chancellor of Bournemouth University and Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Dean of Science of the University of Southampton.
Sir Paul has extensive Board leadership experience, having chaired several national committees. His current roles include:
Chair of the NHS England National Joint Registry
Chair of the Natural Environment Research Council Advisory Committee on Science Leadership
Director of the Universities Superannuation Scheme Ltd.
President of the Remote Sensing & Photogrammetry Society;
and Patron of The Conversation UK.
Since his daughter’s diagnosis of MS, Sir Paul has developed a deep understanding of the condition, as well as an empathy with and admiration for those living with MS, their family and friends.
Sir Paul says: “I have been inspired by the work of the MS Society, it’s a wonderful organisation and a great honour to have been appointed as Chair of the Board of Trustees.
“I have been impressed by the MS Society’s ambitious values and the work of my predecessor to develop an outstanding Board that is experienced, skilled and committed enough to live those values. The more I learn about the work of the charity the more impressed I have been with the support it offers, the advocacy it undertakes and the research it funds. I’ve been particularly impressed by the passion, enthusiasm and practicality of everyone I’ve met – the feeling that the MS Society is as much a cause as it is a charity, is palpable.”
In his downtime, Sir Paul enjoys running, reading and spending time with family. He is looking forward to meeting with, listening to and learning from members of our community, volunteers and staff once he takes up his new role.
