HARWELL: The Diamond Light Source, one of Europe's largest science facilities, has appointed Lord Broers as its new chairman.

Lord Broers, who takes over from Sir David Cooksey, has had a distinguished career in electrical engineering, including almost 20 years in research with IBM, and was previously past president of the Royal Academy of Engineering.

He has also been vice chancellor of Cambridge University and chairman of the House of Lords Select Committee for Science and Technology He said: "Diamond is an extraordinarily successful venture, not only because it was built on time and to budget but because it is already advancing science and technology research in many important fields including health, the environment, nanoscience and engineering."

"Looking to the future, the facility needs to fully maximise its potential for enabling advances in science and technology and I am looking forward to the challenge of achieving this goal."