John Marriott, LGC's director of analytical technology, takes over government chemist role from Richard Worswick
LGC, the privatised analytical laboratory providing chemical, biochemical and DNA analysis, has announced the appointment by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) of Dr John Marriott as the new government chemist.
Dr Richard Worswick, government chemist since 1991, will remain as chief executive of the LGC Group, concentrating on the commercial development of the business, which is currently expanding rapidly in the UK and other European countries.
Dr Marriott will take up his new role on 1 June 2002.
The historical remit and statutory function of the government chemist is to carry out referee analysis to resolve disputes over analytical measurements, particularly in relation to food regulatory enforcement.
The role, discharged on behalf of DTI, has evolved in recent years to require an active involvement in promoting analytical science and technology, and to provide advice to government and the wider community on policy standards, regulation, and international comparisons.
Of his successor, Richard Worswick said: "John Marriott's close involvement at LGC in developing techniques and methods for the analysis and comparative measurement of biomolecules is highly relevant to changing demands on the government chemist. His strong background in new analytical technology, international standards, and the interpretation of analytical measurements will be a great asset, and his industrial experience will be valuable in relation to regulatory advice.
I wish him every success in this nationally important role." Of his new appointment, John Marriott said: "Under the guidance of my predecessor, the independence and scientific standing of the government chemist within the privatised LGC has been affirmed.
I welcome the opportunity as government chemist to take a proactive stance in advising government and industry on relevant issues and debates.
I intend to engage fully with the wider analytical community and the science base to foster future analytical development, especially in bioanalytical innovation and biomeasurement." LGC is the current name of what was, before privatisation, the Laboratory of the Government Chemist.
The holder of the post of government chemist is appointed by DTI, but is required to be a director of LGC's Teddington laboratory, which is contracted to carry out the necessary scientific work in support of the government chemist function.
