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Professor Andrew Willmott appointed NOC Director of Science and Technology
Professor Andrew Willmott has been appointed as the National Oceanography Centre’s first Director of Science and Technology. He will take up his position on 1 July and will be based in Liverpool.
Before the NOC was created on 1 April 2010, Professor Willmott was for five years Director of the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory in Liverpool. His research interests are in ocean modelling with a particular focus on the polar oceans. He was formerly Professor of Applied Mathematics and Head of the School of Computing and Mathematics at the University of Keele. He has also held positions at the University of Exeter; the US Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, and the University of British Columbia, Canada.
As Director of Science and Technology, Professor Willmott will be responsible for strengthening the world-leading research capabilities of the NOC and its international and UK collaborations; integrating the scientific research and technology development across NOC’s two sites at Southampton and Liverpool, and developing the scientific collaborative links with the Centre’s hosting partners, the Universities of Southampton and Liverpool, as well as its Delivery Partners in Plymouth and Scotland.
NOC Executive Director, Professor Ed Hill, said: “I am delighted that Professor Willmott is taking on this exciting and challenging new role. NOC has immense scientific capabilities to address some of the greatest societal challenges of our age and the key to continuing future success will be integrating our scientific efforts and a strong collaborative approach.”
Professor Willmott said: "The NOC will focus its considerable scientific and technological research capabilities on addressing `big science problems’ with major societal impact. These include food and energy security, understanding the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems and the prediction of sea-level variability at the regional scale. Major progress in addressing these problems is beyond the capability of any one institution. As an outward focusing centre, NOC will work in partnership with the UK and international marine science communities to address these interdisciplinary scientific problems."
Professor Willmott is a keen racquet sports player and when he is not on court he enjoys hiking.
