The new chief executive of the UK's Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) will be Eddie Morland, taking over on 10 October 2005
Eddie Morland was formerly chief executive of AEA Rail, an international science and engineering business providing consultancy, software and hardware to transport markets worldwide.
He began his career as a research scientist working on the nuclear programme for the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, rising to become a world expert in fracture mechanics.
After the formation of AEA Technology, his career broadened into senior roles in project management, marketing and sales, commercial and operations management.
He has worked in power generation, the oil and gas and defence sectors and, most recently, the rail sector, joining AEA Rail in 1997, following the acquisition of British Rail Research.
Morland is 48, lives in Warrington, Cheshire, and is married with two grown-up children.
He likes hill walking, watching football and reading history.
Announcing the appointment, director general Timothy Walker said: "I am delighted that Eddie Morland is taking up the reins at the Health and Safety Laboratory.
"He will be a real asset to HSC/E's business and will help us drive real improvements in sensible risk control across the economy by continuing the development of HSL's services to HSE and more widely".
Morland takes over as chief executive from David Buchanan.
Buchanan has led HSL since November 1995, including the crucial periods in which HSL became an internal agency and, earlier this year, when HSL moved to its new purpose-built laboratory.
Buchanan retires before the end of 2005.
Timothy Walker paid tribute to David Buchanan's commitment to better health and safety: "David has been a great support during my time as director general and the driving force behind HSL's splendid new laboratory at Buxton.
"He has made an enormous contribution to our work and to the efforts of others.
"We have greatly benefited from the excellent science which has been a hallmark of HSL's work.
"He has provided a sound base onto which Eddie Morland can build".
David Buchanan has also welcomed his successor: "It has been a privilege to be chief executive of HSL for the last ten years and I have enjoyed it immensely.
"I wish Eddie Morland and all at HSL every success in the future".
HSL describes itself as Britain's leading industrial health and safety facility, with over 30 years of research experience across all sectors.
Employing over 350 people including scientists, engineers, psychologists, social scientists, health professionals and technical specialists, HSL operates from the main laboratory in Buxton, plus a number of field stations.
Its capabilities encompass a wide range of topics including fire, explosion and process safety; human factors and risk assessment; occupational and environmental health; safety engineering; work environment; and specialist photographic and technical services.
As an agency of HSE, HSL supports its mission to protect people's health and safety by ensuring risks in the changing workplace are properly controlled.
As well as delivering a comprehensive service to HSE, HSL offers its unique portfolio of skills and expertise to other public sector organisations and the private sector.
