Yvonne Baker appointed CEO of Myscience and Director of National Science Learning Centre

The Chief Executive of STEMNET, Yvonne Baker, a Chemical Engineer, is to replace Professor Sir John Holman on 1 October 2010 as Chief Executive of Myscience it was announced on Tuesday 15 June.

Yvonne Baker became Chief Executive of STEMNET (the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network) in 2005, having joined three years previously to establish the STEM Ambassadors Programme, now with over 21,000 volunteers willing to support young people, teachers and schools in STEM. Prior to that, she worked in a variety of chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing environments, followed by a period in management consultancy.

As Chief Executive of Myscience, Yvonne will be responsible for the National Science Learning Centre in York which offers world-class professional development for science teachers from maintained schools through industry-backed 'ENTHUSE' Awards. Yvonne will also oversee the development of the National STEM Centre, which is building the UK's largest collection of STEM teaching resources, and the national network of Science Learning Centres, which run high-quality CPD for science teachers across the English regions.

Sir Mike Tomlinson, Chairman of the Board of Myscience, said: "Yvonne brings a wealth of business and engineering experience as well as having been the Chief Executive of STEMNET for the last five years. I am certain that she will lead the work of Myscience with vigour and determination. We are very pleased indeed to have been able to appoint Yvonne to this nationally important role."

Commenting on her appointment, Yvonne said: "I feel greatly privileged to be offered this opportunity to help teachers, technicians and school leaders across the UK inspire even more young people in science, maths, technology and engineering. It is thanks to the encouragement of my science and maths teachers, as well as my headteacher, that I pursued engineering - a career which has taken me to places and given me opportunities I never dreamt of. I want all young people to have such chances across these important subjects. The Science Learning Centres, the National STEM Centre and their partners are dedicated to making this happen.

"I will be working to ensure that the services we offer and the delivery of those services are what teachers and students need. It will be important to continue to listen carefully to teachers, technicians, headteachers and subject associations, as well as professional institutions, scientific societies and employers, so that we can continue to provide schools and colleges with the support they deserve."

After a highly successful six-year tenure as Chief Executive of Myscience and Director of the National Science Learning Centre, Professor Sir John Holman will be stepping down to continue lecturing in Chemistry at the University of York and to pursue his interests in education and science.

Sir Mike Tomlinson continued: "As the first Chief Executive of Myscience, Sir John Holman has given a reality to the ambitious aims of the major sponsors; the Wellcome Trust and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (now the Department for Education). He has overseen the establishment of the National STEM Centre, sponsored by the Gatsby Trust, and, with the regional Science Learning Centres, has produced an extensive and varied programme of high-quality CPD for all science teachers. His contribution to improving science teaching cannot be overstated, and the Board of Myscience owes John an enormous debt of gratitude. We all wish him well in his future plans."