NCUB congratulates Lord Willetts on his appointment as Chair of the Regulatory Innovation Office

The National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB) welcomes the appointment of Lord Willetts as Chair of the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO), a crucial step in ensuring that the UK remains at the forefront of cutting-edge innovation.

The RIO will play a vital role in accelerating the commercialisation of emerging technologies—from AI-powered medical diagnostics to engineering biology—while ensuring they are safely and effectively integrated into the UK economy. 

Rosalind Gill, Head of Policy and Engagement at the National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB) said: “We congratulate Lord Willetts on his appointment as chair of RIO. We welcome the Government’s commitment to fostering an agile regulatory landscape that supports entrepreneurs, researchers, and investors.” 

Gill added: “The conversations we’ve had through our business-led R&D Taskforce reinforce that excessive regulatory burdens have long been a barrier to innovation and private sector investment. Many of the UK’s high-growth industries have highlighted the need for a more agile and responsive regulatory environment. The launch of RIO represents a real opportunity to address these concerns, unlocking the full potential of UK-based R&D and innovation.” 

“At NCUB, we look forward to working closely with Lord Willetts to ensure the UK can unlock greater investment, strengthen public-private collaboration, and secure its position at the cutting edge of global technological advancement.”