The Royal Society of Biology has appointed Doug Brown, chief executive of the British Society of Immunology, as its new boss.

He succeeds Mark Downs, who is retiring after 16 years at the helm.

Brown will take up the post on 1 September after seven years at the BSI.

The BSI said Brown had overseen a “huge transformation in how the organisation operates” and had led the delivery of an “innovative new strategy and business model to secure the financial sustainability of the BSI”.

Before joining the BSI, Brown spent four years as director of research and development at the Alzheimer’s Society.

He was also head of biomedical research at the MS Society from 2008 to 2012.

Brown has been a trustee of the Association of Medical Research Charities since 2019 and holds a PhD in molecular biology from the University of Cambridge.

Brown said he was proud of everything that the BSI had achieved during his time as chief executive but said he was thrilled to join the RSB at “such a pivotal time for life sciences”.

He said: “Building on the strong foundations established under Mark’s leadership, I look forward to working with the dedicated staff team, our members, partners and the wider scientific community to lead the RSB into its next chapter – ensuring that biology continues to improve lives and shape a better future for all.”

Downs said: “It has been a privilege to lead the RSB for nearly 16 years and I am delighted to be passing on the baton to such an able successor who I know will ensure a bright and effective future for the society”.