Genomics England today announces the appointment of Professor Matt Brown as the 
organisation's new Chief Scientific Officer following a rigorous recruitment 
process. 

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1602034/Professor_Matt_Brown.jpg 

Professor Brown is an internationally renowned clinician-scientist, and is 
currently Professor of Medicine at King's College London, as well as Director 
of the NIHR Guy's and St Thomas' Biomedical Research Centre. 

He has a deep background in genomics, and has previously been Director of 
Genomics and Distinguished Professor at the Queensland University of 
Technology. His work there also involved sensitive engagement with indigenous 
communities on healthcare research and genomics. 

Genomics England's CEO Chris Wigley commented: "We're delighted Professor Matt 
Brown has accepted this position providing the benefit of his scientific 
expertise, leadership, and knowledge of the research landscape. Genomics 
England's vision is a world in which everyone has access to the benefits of 
genomics healthcare, and Matt can help us deliver on that vision."

Professor Brown commented: "I'm thrilled to be joining this iconic organisation 
and working with its outstanding staff to deliver on the amazing promise 
genomics has to improve diagnosis and management of a huge swathe of human 
diseases."   

Professor Brown trained as a clinician-scientist and a rheumatologist, and has 
made contributions to the development of gene-mapping approaches in human 
diseases and genome-wide association study (GWAS) methodology, leading to the 
discovery of thousands of genetic variants, with a particular interest in 
ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. 

In the genetics of rare human diseases, he has identified genes responsible for 
monogenic forms of arthritis, ectopic bone development, and skeletal 
dysplasias.  He established and directed one of Australia's largest cancer 
personalised medicine genomics services, the Australian Translational Genomics 
Centre, in Brisbane.

He replaces Professor Sir Mark Caulfield, and will take up the appointment in 
November. 

Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford, Chair of Genomics England, said: "Professor 
Matt Brown's appointment shows our continued commitment to be led by the 
science and ensuring we focus on delivering for participants, patients, 
researchers, and the wider public. Matt's blend of research and healthcare 
experience makes him the ideal individual to continue Genomics England's 
crucial work with partners across the UK to ensure we maximise the possible 
benefits of genomic research and healthcare."

Jillian Hastings Ward, Chair of the Participant Panel at Genomics England, 
said: "Genomes and the people behind them can tell us a lot about disease and 
wellbeing. We look forward to working with Prof Brown to ensure that the 
interests of the research participants whose data is held by Genomics England 
remain at the heart of the research agenda."

A spokesperson for Guy's and St Thomas' commented: "Congratulations to 
Professor Matt Brown on being appointed to the post of Chief Scientific Officer 
of Genomics England, an important national role drawing on his experience and 
research interests in genomics. Matt will be leaving his role as Director of 
the NIHR Guy's and St Thomas' Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) in October but 
will retain part-time appointments with the Trust and King's College London. 
Matt has provided fantastic leadership for the BRC for 2 years and overseen the 
BRC's invaluable contributions including to Urgent Public Health studies in 
prevention and management of Covid-19. We wish him well in the new role and 
look forward to maintaining our collaborations with him at Genomics England."

A spokesperson for King's College London commented: "We are very proud of 
Professor Brown's appointment, in which he will lead on all scientific 
activities for Genomics England, including crucial projects looking at genome 
sequencing in rare disease, cancer and infection. Professor Brown will retain 
an important role at the university where he will continue to work on genomics 
related to conditions such as axial spondyloarthritis, a chronic back pain 
caused by inflammatory arthritis, and other important disease areas." 

Media queries: tim.cowen@genomicsengland.co.uk, +44(00-7720-412-143 

SOURCE  Genomics England