Annual Review 2004 - Wellcome Trust

A YEAR AT THE WELLCOME TRUST35Physiological Sciences; Molecules,Genes and Cells; and MedicalHumanities. These streams arecomplemented by ‘cross-cutting’ strandsof activity such as technology transferand public engagement. The aim of thereorganisation is to focus more stronglyon research priorities and strategy, ratherthan on the funding process. FundingCommittees and Strategy Committeesare being set up to assess grants andconsider strategy issues in each area.Flexible fundingIn 2004, we made a number of changesto our grants management processes,with the aim of providing greater flexibilityfor grantholders and reducingadministrative burdens for grantholders,universities and the Trust. The changesallow grantholders to move fundsbetween budget headings (exceptsalary costs), and grants now includea ‘flexible funding award’ to provide forunanticipated direct costs and to provideadditional flexibility to researchers.New GovernorsThree new Governors were appointedin 2003/04: Dame Patricia Hodgson,former Chief Executive of the IndependentTelevision Commission; Ronald Plasterk,Professor of Developmental Geneticsat the University of Utrecht; and PeterSmith, Professor of Tropical Epidemiologyat the London School of Hygiene andTropical Medicine.Sir David SteelSir David Steel, former Chairman of theWellcome Trust, died on 9 August 2004.Sir David, previously Chairman of BP,was the Wellcome Trust’s Chairmanfrom 1982 to 1989.New staffFour new senior members of staff wereappointed during the year: Dr Ken Arnold,Head of Public Programmes; Dr DavidLynn, Head of Strategic Planning andPolicy; Frances Norton, Head of theWellcome Library; and Dr JimmyWhitworth, Head of International Activities.New headquartersThe Wellcome Trust moved into newpurpose-built accommodation, the GibbsBuilding at 215 Euston Road, during2004. The new building brings togetherall Wellcome Trust staff under one roof,except for Wellcome Library personnel,who have moved to 210 Euston Roadwhile the Wellcome Trust’s previousheadquarters building at 183 EustonRoad is refurbished. The refurbished183 building will be opened as a publicvenue in 2006.New corporate identityA new logo and corporate identity werelaunched during the year. The newidentity, launched to coincide with theoccupation of the new headquartersbuilding, is being rolled out gradually.The new identity is also reflected in theWellcome Trust website, which wasrelaunched in 2004 in a more userfriendlyformat.