Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

The Kennedy Trust has announced Dr Stephen Simpson as its new Chief Executive Officer from 1 July 2022.

Dr Stephen Simpson and Pierre Espinasse
Dr Stephen Simpson (L) has taken over the role of CEO from Pierre Espinasse (R)

Stephen has taken over the leadership of the Trust from Pierre Espinasse who managed operations at the charity since 2011. The Trust has evolved considerably under Pierre's expert guidance, most notably through its support of the Kennedy Institute's relocation from Imperial College London to its current site at the heart of the University of Oxford's Old Road Campus.

Pierre has also overseen significant funding and support initiatives at the Kennedy Institute including a pledge of £20M over five years to support pioneering research into chronic inflammatory disease, and funding to establish the Career Development Programme, enabling early career researchers to take the first step in running their own lab. The Kennedy Institute also benefits from some of the Trust's key external funding initiatives, spearheaded by Pierre, including the £2.5M Senior Research Fellowship programme launched in 2017 and the MB PhD scheme which will provide funding for 75 students over 7 years across the universities of Manchester, Birmingham, Oxford, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Professor Dame Fiona Powrie, Director of the Kennedy Institute, added "Pierre has provided vital support to the Kennedy Institute for more than a decade. We wish him all the best for the future, and we look forward to continuing our close relationship with the Kennedy Trust under the expert leadership of Stephen Simpson."

Stephen joins the Trust with a background in medical research and in life sciences research funding. Most recently, Stephen was Director of Research at Versus Arthritis, where he led teams in the development and implementation of research, including new areas of research translation and partnership funding. During his time at the charity, Stephen championed the development of musculoskeletal research through the creation of new funding initiatives and the promotion of pain research and patient involvement.

See more on the Kennedy Trust website

Similar stories

NIHR Fellowships awarded to NDORMS researchers

Congratulations to Eileen Morrow and Mae Chester-Jones who have received NIHR Doctoral Fellowships

ORUK Early Career Research Fellowship awarded to NDORMS researcher

Congratulations to Jack Tu who has been awarded an Orthopaedic Research UK Early Career Research Fellowship to explore the cause of knee pain after total knee replacement.

OCTRU - delivering answers to important clinical questions

The Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit (OCTRU) has received NIHR benchmarking results and offers excellent value for money according to the report

Unhelpful thoughts about fracture symptoms hinder recovery

The importance of mindsets and feelings about fracture symptoms have been shown to be a key factor in recovery of musculoskeletal conditions.

Fat tissues can play a protective role against inflammation in the intestine

A new study in The EMBO Journal has revealed how fat tissues might provide a protective role in intestinal inflammation opening new lines of research into the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.

NDORMS researchers awarded Sir Henry Wellcome Fellowships

Kennedy Institute researchers Mariana Borsa and Edward Jenkins have both been awarded Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellowships, which give recently qualified postdoctoral researchers the opportunity to start independent research careers.