The RSC and the wider scientific community have achieved a considerable success with confirmation that Wales now has a Chief Scientific Adviser.

In January a meeting of the Welsh Assembly Petitions Committee considered Petition P- 03-075: Royal Society of Chemistry, which was signed by a number of scientists from a range of organisations. 

Chris Pollock, Chief Scientific Advisor for Wales

In addition to the RSC's original petition, the committee considered further representations made by the RSC and a written response by the First Minister.

The committee received confirmation that Chris Pollock is indeed the Chief Scientific Adviser, as stated in the First Minister's response. 

Pollock was the Director of the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research at Aberystwyth for 14 years. Pollock's duties will include advising on the development and implementation of the Welsh Assembly Government's science policy on global and local issues. This appointment is recognition of the vital role science and technology play in the development of any modern European nation.

Leigh Jeffes, RSC's Welsh Assembly Consultant, is delighted by the news: "The creation of this post is something that the RSC has campaigned for strongly and consistently, and we are most grateful for the support of our members in Wales, other scientific societies, and Welsh Assembly Members in helping to achieve this collective success. 

"The RSC welcomes confirmation of the appointment of Chris Pollock, and looks forward to working with him in the future."

Pollock has readily agreed to discuss issues relating to the role with the RSC at an early opportunity.