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 The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has announced the appointment of Dr Robin Hart as its new Deputy CEO. The appointment will also see Dr Hart become a member of the NPL Management Limited (NPLML) board.

Dr Hart brings a wealth and breadth of experience to his new role, having held a range of senior leadership positions at NPL since 2004 – including most recently as Strategy Director, in which he oversaw NPL’s strategic alignment to its four main focus areas: Advanced Manufacturing; Digital; Energy and Environment; and Life Sciences and Health.

After graduating with a degree in Physics from Imperial College, Dr Hart began his career at BP, where he worked for five years as part of a team developing a new generation of thin film solar cells. He then returned to university at Bristol, where he achieved a Masters degree in Advanced Electronic Materials: followed by a PhD researching novel giant magnetoresistive films. 

On completion of his studies, Dr Hart moved to Cambridge to work in R&D for Oxford Instruments. His work included the fabrication of superconducting devices in collaboration with the European Space Agency: and also building advanced instrumentation for the NMI community in partnership with NPL.

In 2004, after returning to Imperial College to earn his MBA, Dr Hart joined NPL as Team Manager of its Photonics and Time team. He went on to lead both the Electromagnetic and Materials Divisions before being appointed Director of Programmes in 2011 and Strategy Director in 2017. 

Dr Hart’s appointment as Deputy CEO of NPL comes as Dr Martyn Sené steps down from the role. After an illustrious career spanning 22 years at NPL, Martyn will continue to work at NPL with international partners, including as a member of the International Committee for Weights and Measure (CIPM).

Commenting on Dr Hart’s appointment, NPL CEO Dr Peter Thompson said, “I’d like to congratulate Robin and welcome him to his new role. I look forward to working with Robin to continue to deliver on our vision to be an exemplary National Laboratory undertaking excellent science and engineering to deliver extraordinary impact for the UK. I’d also like to express my sincere thanks to Martyn Sene for his dedication and contribution to NPL during his 22 years here, including in his role as Deputy CEO. I am delighted that Martyn will continue his important international work with us here at NPL in 2022.”

Commenting on his appointment as Deputy CEO, Dr Robin Hart said, “I would like to thank my predecessor Dr Martyn Sene for all of his support and wise advice. I have enjoyed working closely with Martyn over the last 15 years and I now look forward to continuing his work in ensuring that the excellent science undertaken at NPL plays a critical role, both nationally and internationally, in helping innovative companies to address the challenges we face today to our health, security, environment and prosperity.”

Departing NPL Deputy CEO Dr Martyn Sené said “It has been a privilege to serve as a member of the NPL executive team and Board, and to play a part in leading an organisation that harnesses the skills of amazing people to make such a difference to the UK, the global economy and society. I have worked with Robin for 15 years and am delighted that he has been appointed as Deputy CEO at this exciting and important time for NPL."

Issued by The National Physical Laboratory