James Moir takes the helm as Chair of Biorenewables Development Centre
We're pleased to announce the appointment of Professor James Moir as the new Chair of our Board. He succeeds Professor Matthias Ruth, who steps down after a significant period of leadership, coinciding with his departure from the University of York as Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research.
This leadership transition comes at an important time for our organisation, which bridges regional development, national innovation, and sustainable transformation by scaling up technologies that convert plants and biological waste into valuable chemicals, materials, and fuels.
James brings a distinguished background in microbiology and an overwhelming commitment to sustainable technological solutions. His academic and leadership journey at the University of York's Department of Biology has positioned him well to understand the complex challenges and unprecedented opportunities within the bioeconomy sector.
James Moir said:
The BDC represents an essential link in our national and regional sustainability journey. We're not just a research centre – we're a strategic bridge between local innovation ecosystems, regional economic development ambitions, and national net-zero commitments. Our unique value lies in our ability to translate cutting-edge research into commercially viable solutions that can meaningfully support the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority's carbon-negative goals, while simultaneously contributing to the UK's broader industrial biotechnology plans. I'm especially impressed by the research converting waste streams into alternatives for petrochemicals and virgin resources. There's a real opportunity for the BDC to demonstrate how a regional centre can become a national model—transforming waste into valuable economic assets, supporting local businesses, attracting investment, and creating a blueprint for circular sustainable industry that can be replicated across the United Kingdom.
While funding remains a challenge for many research organisations, the BDC has demonstrated incredible resilience and adaptability. Following the conclusion of European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) support in June 2023, the centre has successfully pivoted by building a substantial pipeline of commercial work alongside securing other funded projects.
James Moir said:
The BDC's achievements in recent years is testament to the expertise, vision, and dedication of its people.With industrial biotechnology set to lead sustainable transformation, we must fundamentally reimagine how we produce, consume, and view resources, and the work of the BDC is key in this essential shift. The centre deserves to be recognised for the tremendous value it brings, both regionally and nationally, as a cornerstone in the bioeconomy landscape. I’m eager to immerse myself in the operational heart of the centre—understanding the complete lifecycle of projects, connecting with the talented specialists driving our innovations, and identifying opportunities to amplify our strengths in this rapidly evolving sector.
Dr. Mark Corbett, Director at the BDC, welcomed the appointment, adding:
We're delighted to welcome James Moir as our new Chair. His expertise in microbiology, combined with his strategic thinking on sustainability, makes him an ideal fit for the BDC. James's leadership will be invaluable as we navigate the exciting, yet complex, landscape of the bioeconomy. We're confident that his insights will further strengthen our position as a national leader in translating cutting-edge research into impactful, real-world solutions. His commitment to bridging regional ambitions with national sustainability goals is exactly what the BDC needs to accelerate our contribution to a circular, bio-based future.
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We have worked on 1,500 bio-based projects to date
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