Diamond Annual Review 2023/24

3 Foreword A fter a decade as Chair of the Diamond board, it feels like an appropriate time to reflect and appreciate the remarkable achievements this facility and its staff have achieved. It has been an exciting and rewarding time seeing Diamond grow from 22 beamlines to some 33 today with additional complementary facilities, all together supporting world-class science needed by the users. Throughout these ten years, it’s been clear that Diamond is an outstanding jewel in the UK science crown. The commitment of both the UK government and the Wellcome Trust is paramount to this success. In September 2023, this was once again cemented in the allocation of funding for the upgrade project, Diamond-II. I see that the challenge to recruit and retain staff remains the major risk for the facility and together with other institutions in the science base we are working hard to make the case for better pay, adequate and sustainable operational funding to the UK government and press on the importance of all science, technology and engineering careers and those working to support them. It is also with a heavy heart that I announce that my term as Chair is ending this year. I shall leave with a sense of peace that Diamond’s future is in good hands with the appointment of Professor Gianluigi Botton as Chief Executive Officer. His leadership will be critical to the success of the next decade. Recruitment is also well underway to secure the new leadership of the board. I would like to sign off my final Annual Review update wishing everyone in the Diamond community - users, staff, contractors and beyond - every success with the upgrade project so that Diamond can continue its impact for decades to come. Professor Sir Adrian Smith PRS Chairman of the Board of Directors D I A M O N D L I G H T S O U R C E A N N U A L R E V I E W 2 0 2 3 / 2 4