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News
Rothamsted a Royal Patronage for King Charles III
Status confirmed after recent royal patronage review
We are absolutely delighted to have received a letter from Buckingham Palace confirming that King Charles III is now a patron of the institute, following a recent review of over one thousand potential organisations.
The King’s late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was a patron of Rothamsted from 1993 until her sad death in 2022.
Professor Angela Karp, Director and CEO said, “Everyone who works at Rothamsted, together with our Board of Trustees, feel delighted and honoured that the King has chosen to continue the Royal Family’s long association with the institute. Given His Majesty’s long-standing commitment to more sustainable agricultural practices, and his ongoing support for British science and for farmers and rural communities, we look forward to working closely with The King as our Patron, sharing our enthusiasm for how advances in agricultural science can drive the transformation of British Farming to become a global leader in high yielding, nature-friendly food production.”
The late Queen was Patron of 492 organisations at the time of her death, of which 376 are due to be retained by Their Majesties or other Members of The Royal Family. We are very grateful to be included among those where royal Patronage will continue, and, in our case under His Majesty The King.
Contacts
Prof. Angela Karp
DIRECTOR & CHIEF EXECUTIVE
ABOUT ROTHAMSTED RESEARCH
Rothamsted Research is the longest-running agricultural research institute in the world. We work from gene to field with a proud history of ground-breaking
discoveries in areas as diverse as crop management, statistical interpretation and soil health. Our founders, in 1843, were the pioneers of modern
agriculture, and we are known for our imaginative science and our collaborative approach to developing innovative farm practice.
Through independent research, we make significant contributions to improving agri-food systems in the UK and internationally, with
economic impact estimated to exceed £3 bn in annual contribution to the UK economy. Our strength lies in our systems approach, which combines strategic research,
interdisciplinary teams and multiple partnerships.
Rothamsted is home to three unique National Bioscience Research Infrastructures which are open to researchers from all over the world:
The Long-Term Experiments,
Rothamsted Insect Survey and the
North Wyke Farm Platform.
We are strategically funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), with additional support from other national and
international funding streams, and from industry. We are also supported by the Lawes Agricultural Trust (LAT).
ABOUT BBSRC
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council is part of UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid
from the UK government.
BBSRC invests to push back the frontiers of biology and deliver a healthy, prosperous and sustainable future. Through our investments, we build and support a vibrant,
dynamic and inclusive community which delivers ground-breaking discoveries and develops bio-based solutions that contribute to tackling global challenges,
such as sustainable food production, climate change, and healthy ageing.
As part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), we not only play a pivotal role in fostering connections that enable the UK’s world-class research and innovation system
to flourish – we also have a responsibility to enable the creation of a research culture that is diverse, resilient, and engaged.
BBSRC proudly forges interdisciplinary collaborations where excellent bioscience has a fundamental role. We pioneer approaches that enhance the equality, diversity,
and inclusion of talent by investing in people, infrastructure, technologies, and partnerships on a global scale.
ABOUT LAT
The Lawes Agricultural Trust, established in 1889 by Sir John Bennet Lawes, supports Rothamsted Research’s national and international agricultural science through the provision of land, facilities and funding. LAT, a charitable trust, owns the estates at Harpenden and Broom's Barn, including many of the buildings used by Rothamsted Research. LAT provides an annual research grant to the Director, accommodation for nearly 200 people, and support for fellowships for young scientists from developing countries. LAT also makes capital grants to help modernise facilities at Rothamsted, or invests in new buildings.