Russell Group appoints new Head of Policy

25 June 2009

The Russell Group of leading research-intensive universities has appointed former senior Treasury adviser Caroline Barr as the new Head of Policy, with particular responsibility for Innovation, Funding and Management workstreams.

Caroline joins The Russell Group on 1st July from HM Treasury, where she has worked for six years, first as a senior policy adviser and then as Deputy Director of the science and industry team. She oversaw the independent review into medical research funding by Sir David Cooksey.

After four years in the Army where she trained as an officer at Sandhurst, Caroline worked at Lloyds TSB and Ford. Caroline has a degree in music from Somerville College Oxford and an MBA from Warwick University.

Director General of The Russell Group, Dr Wendy Piatt, said:

“I am delighted that Caroline – who has a wealth of experience in research policy and management - will be joining the Russell Group team. A robust evidence base is essential if we are to make the case for policies and funding that will nurture our world-leading universities which is why The Russell Group puts such a high priority on research and policy development. This appointment will strengthen our intellectual firepower in carrying out that mission.”