The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) is pleased to announce the appointment of a Director of Policy and Public Affairs - a new role for the organisation.

Jonathan Breckon took up the post at the AHRC on 03 November 2008. Jonathan joins the AHRC after  previously heading up the Policy and Public Affairs team at The Royal Geographical Society for over five years.

AHRC Chief Executive Philip Esler said of the appointment, "We see the new Director of Policy and Public Affairs role as vital in reinforcing the importance of the arts and humanities research community, and the role of the AHRC, to Government and policy makers.  Jonathan brings to the AHRC a wealth of Public Affairs experience and is well-placed to steer the AHRC in this area and act as an advocate for the arts and humanities community."

With over 10 years experience in media and public relations - and Parliamentary and Government affairs - Jonathan’s career history also includes the British Academy, where he headed up the external affairs department, and time spent working in the Press and Policy Office at Universities UK.

Jonathan has great experience of building and maintaining relationships with parliamentarians and civil servants and has previously chaired a partnership of 15 research organisations on a Research Assessment Exercise. He says, "Arts and humanities research underpins our quality of life as well as having a positive impact - both socially and economically. I am delighted to able to lead the AHRC’s work in promoting this research to policymakers and opinion formers."

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Arts & Humanities Research Council: Each year the AHRC provides approximately £100 million from the U.K. Government to support research and postgraduate study in the arts and humanities, from archaeology and English literature to design and dance. In any one year, the AHRC makes approximately 700 research awards and around 1,000 postgraduate awards. Awards are made after a rigorous peer review process, to ensure that only applications of the highest quality are funded. Arts and humanities researchers constitute nearly a quarter of all research-active staff in the U.K. higher education sector. The quality and range of research supported by this investment of public funds not only provides social and cultural benefits but also contributes to the economic success of the UK.