PRESS RELEASE
Professor Alan Thompson Appointed as Chair of the Knowledge Quarter Board and Councillor Sabrina Francis Appointed as Deputy Chair
25 June 2026
Professor Alan Thompson and Councillor Sabrina Francis have been appointed as the new Chair and Deputy Chair of the Knowledge Quarter, Europe’s largest innovation district.
Professor Alan Thompson, who serves as Pro-Provost London and Dean of the Faculty of Brain Sciences at University College London (UCL), assumes the role effective immediately. He brings decades of significant experience leading large, multidisciplinary research organisations and building partnerships across institutional boundaries — expertise that positions the Knowledge Quarter strongly as it grows in international significance, and as leading life sciences and AI companies increasingly choose to locate within the district.
Professor Alan Thompson is one of the UK’s most distinguished neuroscientists and academic leaders. An internationally recognised authority on multiple sclerosis, he was the founding Dean of UCL’s Faculty of Brain Sciences when it was created in 2011. Over a career spanning four decades, he helped pioneer the use of MRI to investigate the causes of disability in MS and was part of the international expert group that defined the disease’s diagnostic criteria, while leading major cross-institutional research collaborations such as the UCLPartners neuroscience programme. A Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and editor-in-chief of the Multiple Sclerosis Journal, he is a past recipient of the Charcot Award, regarded as the highest international honour in MS research.
Speaking of his appointment, Professor Alan Thompson said:
“I’m honoured to take on the role of Chair of the Knowledge Quarter Board. The Knowledge Quarter brings together one of the greatest concentrations of knowledge and expertise anywhere in the world, spanning everything from historic collections to frontier AI companies to cutting-edge research and innovation. It is a place where ideas connect and collaboration thrives. As UCL, an original founding member of the KQ, marks its 200th anniversary this year, it feels a particularly meaningful moment. I look forward to working with partners across the network to strengthen these connections and support the Knowledge Quarter’s continued impact for London and beyond.”
Alongside Professor Alan Thompson, Councillor Sabrina Francis of Camden Council has also been appointed as Deputy Chair. She is Camden’s Cabinet member for Jobs, Young People and Culture and has represented Bloomsbury since 2014. A lifelong Camden resident, she began her career supporting disadvantaged young people into higher education and specialises in digital engagement. She served as Mayor of Camden in 2021–22 and received the British Empire Medal in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to the University of London.
Councillor Sabrina Francis, Cabinet member for Jobs, Young People and Culture, said:
“Our intent is to establish a truly inclusive economy in Camden, where our residents gain the skills and belief to get well-paid jobs at the world-leading tech, science and creative industries on their doorstep in King’s Cross and Euston.
“Through the Knowledge Quarter, we’re working with some of the biggest companies and organisations in the world that have chosen to base themselves here in Camden. Establishing long-term programmes with schools, apprenticeships, training opportunities and work placements to make this a reality, while also creating the ideal conditions to further increase both investment and opportunity in the borough.”
The Knowledge Quarter is a consortium of 80 cultural, research, scientific and academic institutions situated within a one-mile radius of King’s Cross, Euston Road and Bloomsbury. The geographical cluster functions as an innovation district, housing approximately 400 research centres, 18,000 members of academic staff and over 200 million catalogued items. One of the UCL London Office’s 12 strategic partnerships, the Knowledge Quarter includes organisations such as the British Library, UCL, Wellcome, the Francis Crick Institute and Google.
Maja Maricevic, outgoing KQ Board Chair and Director of Science and Innovation at the British Library, said:
“I am delighted that the Knowledge Quarter is embarking on a new chapter with Professor Alan Thompson from UCL as a Chair, and Camden Councillor Sabrina Francis as a Deputy Chair. The Knowledge Quarter is a home of world-leading innovation for the benefit of the UK and all our communities. Alan and Sabrina will be a fantastic team to make sure that the Knowledge Quarter continues to bring together all its members in creating a unique place for innovation, new opportunities, sustained economic growth and better life outcomes for all.”
Jodie Eastwood, CEO of the Knowledge Quarter, said:
“We are delighted to be working with two such outstanding and high-profile figures as our Chair and Deputy Chair. In Professor Alan Thompson and Sabrina Francis, the Knowledge Quarter has two leaders who understand both the breadth of what this district represents and its importance to the communities around it. We could not ask for two better people to represent the Knowledge Quarter.”
