Interim Chair appointed to the Board of Directors at Diamond Light Source
Jun 16, 2026
Diamond is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Michael Fitzpatrick, FREng FLSW CEng CSci FIMMM, to the role of interim Chair of the Board.
Professor Fitzpatrick has served as a non-executive director of the board since 2016 and brings a wealth of experience to the leadership position. He succeeds Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, GBE DL FRS FMedSci FRCP FLSW, who is stepping down to assume the role of Chair of UKRI and who brought a depth of knowledge to the role that will undoubtedly be matched by Professor Fitzpatrick.
- L-R: Diamond Technical director Dr Richard Walker, Professor Michael Fitzpatrick, Diamond CEO Professor Gianluigi Botton, Board Member Dr Petra Oyston OBE, Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz
Professor Fitzpatrick is an internationally respected materials engineer known for his contributions to the development and application of experimental stress analysis. He has been a user of international neutron and synchrotron X-ray facilities for over 30 years, for the study of internal stress and damage development in metallic materials and components.
His world-renowned research has led to advances in life assessment and design enhancements in the aerospace and nuclear power sectors, particularly the application of laser shock peening to extend the fatigue life of aerospace alloys. He has also made critical inputs to life extension programmes for Airbus and the US Air Force.
Professor Fitzpatrick said:
I am honoured to take on the role of interim Chair at Diamond Light Source. Having served on the Board for the past decade, I have seen the extraordinary impact Diamond has across science, engineering, healthcare and industry. I look forward to working closely with colleagues across the organisation and our stakeholders to support Diamond's continued success and ensure the facility remains at the forefront of international research and innovation.
Professor Fitzpatrick is an honorary professor at Bangor University and was previously the Lloyd’s Register Foundation Chair of Structural Integrity and Systems Performance. He is a Director of Feraru Dynamics Ltd, a university spin-out focused on ensuring prevention of vibration-related injury in manufacturing and construction; and a Director of the UK Forum for Engineering Structural Integrity, that works with professional organisations and individuals to assist in the assurance of the integrity of engineering structures and components.
Professor Fitzpatrick holds chartered status in both science and engineering. He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Learned Society of Wales, and the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. He studied natural sciences at the University of Cambridge, followed by a PhD in Materials Science and Metallurgy, also at Cambridge.
Professor Gianluigi Botton, CEO of Diamond Light Source, said: "Michael brings exceptional scientific expertise, extensive leadership experience and a deep understanding of Diamond's mission and community. His long-standing involvement with the Board, combined with his distinguished career in materials engineering and his experience as a user of large-scale research facilities, make him ideally placed to guide Diamond. On behalf of everyone at Diamond, I would also like to thank Sir Leszek Borysiewicz for his outstanding leadership and contribution to the organisation."
Diamond Light Source is the UK's national synchrotron science facility, located at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire.
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