Met Office chief celebrated for life-saving research

The Chief Executive of the Met Office has been selected for an honorary doctorate by the University of Reading.

Professor Penny Endersby CBE, a global leader in Meteorology who has made life-saving contributions to climate and weather science, was commended at the University’s winter graduation ceremony on Friday, 13 December.

The scientist and engineer has been decorated with various honours for her work in defence, security, weather and climate, including being awarded the 2021 Society Medal by the British Computer Society, becoming an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Physics in 2021 and being awarded a CBE in 2024.

Appointed Chief Executive of the Met Office in 2018, which was also the first time a woman was chosen for the top job, Professor Endersby is also a visiting professor in the Electronics and Computer Science Faculty at Southampton University and is an honorary professor of Physics and the Environment at the University of Exeter.

In 2023, Professor Endersby was appointed President of the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasting. Like the Met Office, the ECMWF is an organisation that works closely with the University of Reading. This relationship is set to strengthen as ECMWF moves its headquarters to the University’s Whiteknights campus.

Professor Helen Dacre, Professor of Meteorology at the University of Reading and Met Office Joint Chair, said: “Penny has shown exceptional commitment to advancing science and technology in weather and climate research. Her leadership ethos, centred on creating conditions for scientific excellence while maintaining a focus on business delivery, echoes the University's pursuit of excellence.

“Penny's achievements align with the University of Reading's strategic priorities, making her a deserving candidate for recognition. Her commitment to community, excellence, sustainability, and engagement is not only reflective of her individual excellence but also stands as an inspiration for the broader academic community.”

Professor Penny Endersby said: “I am extremely honoured and proud to receive this honorary doctorate from the University of Reading. Reading is absolutely one of the top universities in the UK and indeed worldwide for the study of meteorology and climate, and the alma mater of many of our talented scientists at the Met Office. As one of our Met Office Academic Partners they make an active and valued contribution to our research.

“I look forward to continuing our leading work in the coming years in what is sure to be a transformative decade for weather and climate science.”