Dr Peter Thompson is CEO of NPL, a national laboratory spanning science, innovation and technology and the UK’s National Metrology Institute (NMI).
In 2015 Peter joined NPL as CEO and has overseen the laboratory’s development and growth aligned to some of the UK’s major national challenges and opportunities. This has included providing strategic leadership and oversight of NPL-led programmes including the Cancer Research UK Rosetta Cancer Grand Challenge, National Timing Centre programme, Quantum programme, Measurement for Recovery programme, and the UK Telecoms Lab (UKTL).
Peter is Senior Independent Director and a Non-Executive Director of the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult, a Trustee of the Institute of Physics, and a Visiting Professor at the University of Surrey.
Peter was awarded a CBE in the 2025 King’s New Year Honours List in recognition of his services to science and technology.
For outstanding leadership of the National Physical Laboratory and the sustained impact of metrology on UK prosperity and quality of life, Peter was awarded the Institute of Physics 2022 Richard Glazebrook medal and award.
Peter brings a passion for diversity and inclusion in science and engineering and a focus on maximising impact for end users. His previous roles include strategic advisor to MOD’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Board Member and Deputy Chief Executive of Dstl and Head of the Counter Terrorism, Science and Technology Centre.
He is the recipient of two MOD Chief Scientific Advisor Commendations and the US National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Citation (NIMUC) award.