He will succeed Professor Sir Mark Caulfield in this important role which he will take up in November 2021. He will be stepping down from his current role as Director of NIHR Guy's and St Thomas' BRC, but will retain affiliations with King's and the Trust in order to continue his clinical and research activities. 

Professor Brown has a background in genomics and was previously Director of Genomics at the Queensland University of Technology, where his work involved sensitive engagement with indigenous communities on healthcare research. He has made contributions to the development of gene-mapping approaches in human diseases and genome-wide association study (GWAS) methodology, leading to the discovery of thousands of genetic variants, with a particular interest in ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis.

Genomics England’s CEO Chris Wigley said: “We’re delighted Professor Matt Brown has accepted this position providing the benefit of his scientific expertise, leadership, and knowledge of the research landscape. Genomics England’s vision is a world in which everyone has access to the benefits of genomics healthcare, and Matt can help us deliver on that vision.”

Professor Ajay Shah from King’s commented: "We are very proud of Professor Brown’s appointment, in which he will lead on all scientific activities for Genomics England, including crucial projects looking at genome sequencing in rare disease, cancer and infection. Professor Brown will retain an important role at the university where he will continue to work on genomics related to conditions such as axial spondyloarthritis, a chronic back pain caused by inflammatory arthritis, and other important disease areas."