He succeeds Professor Robin May, who left in September 2025 to become interim chief scientific officer at the UK Health Security Agency.
As CSA, Professor Ian Young will oversee the integrity of scientific evidence processes, provide expert advice, and strengthen FSA’s links with the scientific community.
Young joins the FSA in a part-time capacity, whilst maintaining his current role of consultant chemical pathologist at Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and professor of medicine at Queen’s University in Belfast, where he previously directed the Centre for Public Health.
He currently serves as chief scientific advisor to the Department of Health, Northern Ireland; director of research for Health and Social Care, Northern Ireland; and chairs the UK Government’s Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition.
He will step down from these positions upon joining the FSA.
Throughout his career, he has held leadership positions in major scientific organisations, including past-president of the Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, UK. He previously chaired both the Joint Committee for Traceability in Laboratory Medicine and the Scientific Division of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine.
Professor Susan Jebb, chair of the FSA said: “I am very pleased to welcome Professor Ian Young to the FSA as our new chief scientific. This role is essential in sourcing evidence and providing assurance to the board in the quality of the science that we rely on to guide our work and develop FSA policies.
“He will also help to ensure that FSA maintains its strong connections with the science community in academia, industry and government. Professor Young’s deep expertise and ability to translate research into policy will be invaluable in our mission of food you can trust, and I look forward to working with him.”
Young added: “I am delighted to have been offered the position of chief scientific advisor with the FSA. There is nothing more important for the health of the public than ensuring that the food we eat is safe and authentic. I look forward to working with scientists across the FSA to ensure that everything we do is led by good science and the best evidence available.”
