ResearchPlus appoints Johnny Rich as first Director

Published: 3 June 2026

ResearchPlus has today announced the appointment of Johnny Rich as its first Director.

Johnny, who has over thirty years’ experience of working on higher education policy and development, will take up the role of Director on 1 August 2026.

ResearchPlus is a collaborative that brings together long-established and highly regarded research-focused universities to strengthen the UK research and innovation system.

Johnny will lead the development and implementation of ResearchPlus’ strategy and priorities, engaging with stakeholders, including government, policymakers, regulators, and bodies focused on higher education and research and innovation.

Prior to his appointment, Johnny held concurrent roles as Chief Executive of both the Engineering Professors' Council and the award-winning outreach organisation Push, which he founded in 1992. He will continue to serve as its Chief Executive on a part-time basis. Appointed to lead the Engineering Professors' Council in 2016, Johnny has grown its membership and influence in national policy.

Johnny is also a prolific writer whose notable contributions include a widely cited 2015 Higher Education Policy Institute paper on employability and a proposal for a graduate employer contribution model to fund higher education. He has authored several books including the novel, ‘The Human Script’.

Johnny Rich said: “I could not be prouder to take up this role supporting a strong collaboration of leading universities. The common thread for members of ResearchPlus is that they are all driven by the value of higher education as a public good. ResearchPlus partners are essential to the success of the industrial and business ecosystems, public services, and community and cultural life in the places in which they operate, and they play a vital role in the UK’s research and innovation landscape.

“I’m looking forward to working with colleagues across the sector and with government and beyond to create an environment where the power of what ResearchPlus universities do is maximised, recognised, and prized."

ResearchPlus currently comprises ten universities, and will, in due course, expand its partner base by bringing in other leading research-focused universities with similar profiles and missions.

The role will see the Director working with the senior leadership of the partner universities and with the ResearchPlus co-chairs - Professor Sasha Roseneil, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Sussex and Professor Andrew Jones, Vice-Chancellor and President of Brunel University of London.

Professor Sasha Roseneil, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Sussex, said:

“We are delighted to appoint Johnny as our first Director. His extensive experience in higher education policy will be a huge asset to ResearchPlus, as we work to advance understanding of the vital role of ResearchPlus universities in the UK’s research and innovation system, and in delivering research-informed education and advanced skills for the public good.”

Professor Andrew Jones, Vice-Chancellor and President, Brunel University of London said:

“Johnny has a superb track record in higher education policy and a career-long commitment to bringing together research-focused education, inclusion and graduate employability. It’s brilliant he will be bringing this wealth of experience as we develop the crucial role ResearchPlus universities will play for UK research, innovation and economic growth.”