Dr Robert Parker appointed interim CEO

Following the resignation of Richard Pike as Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Dr Robert Parker, Managing Director, Publishing, has been appointed by the Trustees as interim Chief Executive from 1 March, until such time as a permanent successor is appointed.

Dr Parker brings more than 25 years experience at the RSC to the role, having joined the organisation in 1985 as assistant editor. He joined the journal publishing division of the RSC when it was located in premises above a tailor's shop in Savile Row, since which it relocated to Cambridge and expanded to become a renowned international publisher. The RSC's journal portfolio rose to 30 as published content almost trebled during Dr Parker's tenure first as editorial director, before becoming managing director, publishing, in 2007. 

Dr Parker said: "We have very exciting projects in train across many areas of our activity and I'll be working with colleagues to develop the RSC's external relationships with organisations in the UK and internationally. We will also shortly be opening the RSC's Tokyo office. There is a great deal of important science policy work currently in progress. And we will be building relationships and developing activities with the new education governance. It's going to be a positively challenging year for all of us."

Commenting on Richard Pike's achievements as Chief Executive, Dr Parker added: "Richard leaves behind him a very strong senior management team with a dedicated extended group of staff in the UK and overseas, who are in excellent shape for building further upon his legacy."