Department for Work and Pensions chief scientific adviser Catherine Hutchinson has been appointed as head of the government social research profession.
She succeeds Jenny Dibden, who has led the profession for more than 15 years.
Hutchinson, who is also chief analyst and director of analysis and science at DWP, has more than 20 years’ experience in the civil service.
The Government Social Research profession supports the development, implementation, review and evaluation of government policy. Before joining the DWP, Hutchinson spent several years as was head of the Evaluation Task Force.
Commenting on her appointment to the supplementary head of profession role, Hutchinson said: “I am excited and honoured to take on this role. GSR has shaped my entire career. I care deeply about the value social research brings to government decision-making, and about ensuring our profession is confident, influential and future ready. We can, we will and we already do make a difference – for the public and for each other.”
She added: “I owe Jenny a huge debt of gratitude for her leadership and for being an inspiring head of profession to me earlier in my career. GSR is a remarkable community and I am thrilled to lead it into its next chapter.”
Dibden, who remains in her day-to-day role as director, intervention delivery at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, said Hutchinson “brings energy, clarity of purpose and deep commitment to social research”.
“Her cross-government experience, collaborative instinct and senior influence make her exceptionally well placed to lead the profession into its next phase,” she added.