IOM3 Fellow Chris McDonald MP appointed Minister of State for Science
Chris McDonald MP FREng CEng FIMMM has been appointed Minister of State for Science at the newly formed Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.
Chris McDonald MP FREng CEng FIMMM has been appointed Minister of State for Science at the newly-formed Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (DBIST). He has also taken on a ministerial role at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
Chris has been MP for Stockton North since July 2024. He previously served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Industry across the Department for Business and Trade and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, a role he took up in September 2025. Before entering Parliament, he spent more than 20 years in the steel industry, including as CEO of the Materials Processing Institute.
Dr Colin Church CEnv FIMMM, IOM3 CEO, said:
We congratulate Chris McDonald on his appointment, particularly at a moment when science, innovation and industrial policy are becoming ever more closely aligned. As an IOM3 Fellow with a distinguished background in materials science and the steel sector, his move into a science-focused ministerial role demonstrated the value of technical expertise in shaping public policy. We look forward to continue engaging with Chris and his department on issues that matter to our members and to the future of UK industry.
IOM3 contributes to policy development through its network of academic and industrial professionals working across materials science, engineering, business, trade, circular economy and energy. Members with expertise and interest in these areas who would like to contribute to the Institute's policy work are encouraged to contact the Policy team.
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