About IFR

 IFR is a world leader in research into harnessing food for health and controlling food-related diseases.  We undertake internationally-ranked fundamental, strategic and applied research that has great socio-economic impact and is making a real difference to quality of life.  IFR is addressing the Grand Challenges of obesity and healthy ageing by defining the relationship between food, diet and health. 

IFR is a key fulcrum that links research in the area of food science, diet and health between the major Universities / Institutes and Research Associations in the UK, Europe and worldwide.  For example, IFR has been a partner in more than 30 European Union funded projects, and an initiator of the European Technology Platform Food for Life. 

IFR serves a number of stakeholders: the science research base, industry, clinical practice via health and preventive medicine and evidence-based policy for government and industry. 

IFR is a not-for-profit company with charitable status. It is an Institute of the Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).

Director  - Professor David Boxer

David Boxer, formerly The University of Dundee's Vice-Principal for Research and Enterprise and Professor of Microbial Biochemistry, became Director of the Institute of Food Research and Professor of Microbial Metabolism at the University of East Anglia on 23rd March 2009 in succession to Professor David White.

Professor Boxer has extensive experience in university management and in research, having held a number of positions at Dundee including Dean of Science and Engineering and Chairman of the Biochemistry Department. The directorship of IFR is a joint appointment between the University of East Anglia and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

Enquiries to:

Vivien Munro
 [Personal Assistant to Director]
Tel. +44 (0)1603 255119
Fax. +44 (0)1603 255135
Email. vivien.munro@bbsrc.ac.uk

IFR Governance

To reflect their predominantly “public good” and “not for profit” research missions, institutes are established constitutionally as companies limited by guarantee and registered charities.

Their charitable objects and powers are set out in Memoranda of Association, and their internal regulation is governed by the Company’s (Institute’s) Articles of Association. A Governing Body oversees each institute’s activities.

The Governing Body

The Chair and Governing Body members have responsibility for the stewardship of the institute, as laid down in the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the Conditions of Grant, and ensuring compliance with the requirements of the Companies Act and charitable registration. The responsibility for ensuring that the Institute complies with this Agreement and takes account of related guidance rests with the Governing Body acting through the Director.

Governing Body members serve on a part time non-executive basis. Responsibility for day-today matters is delegated to the Institute Director and staff to the maximum extent practicable, within an agreed and clearly understood framework of strategic control endorsed by the Governing Body.

The Governing Body ensures that IFR:
1. has strategic direction which supports the spirit and central aims of the BBSRC mission as laid down by Royal Charter.

2. operates in accordance with its ‘Conditions of Grant’ agreement with the BBSRC.

3. meets its legal obligations as a Company Limited by Guarantee and registered charity as defined in the Institute’s Memorandum and Articles of Association.

Membership
The membership of the Governing Body is 14, drawn normally from the academic community, the food industry and public representatives and covering a range of skills including business and risk, science and technology and social and ethical responsibility.

• Professor Peter Lillford (Chairman) - Professor of Public Awareness of Science, University of York
• Mr David Alderson - Consultant in legal, trust and general commercial management
• Mr David Gregory – formerly Technical Director, Marks & Spencer plc
• Professor Barry Hirst - Institute for Cell & Molecular Biosciences, University of Newcastle
• Dr Andrew Morgan - Scientific Director, Danisco Venture, UK & Director of External Innovation for Danisco
• Professor David O'Connor - Department of Biochemistry, University of Southampton
• Professor Charles Penn - School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham
• Mr John Pettinger - HR Consultant
• Professor Stephan Strobel - Director, Peninsula Postgraduate Health Institute and Professor of Postgraduate Clinical Education
• Paul Triniman - Finance Consultant and non-executive Director of a number of science companies

Overview of IFR Governance - objectives, roles, responsibilities & relationships

Report on the economic impact of the IFR

In January 2008, IFR commissioned DTZ to undertake a statement of its economic impact. It describes selected key achievements of the institute since its inception and identifies a range of non-quantifiable benefits attributable to it.