In February 2006 the Director General of Science and Innovation invited Mr Peter Warry, the Chair of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council, to establish a group of experts drawn from academia, business, and the Research Councils to advise him on how Research Councils could deliver – and demonstrate they are delivering – a major increase in the economic impact of their investments. This group gathered views from a variety of stakeholders (including the Research Councils 
), and published its report in August 2006.
The Report celebrates the Research Councils’ achievements and makes clear that they are starting from a position of strength. But it also challenges Research Councils to go further, by achieving and demonstrating a step change in the economic impact of our investments. Warry’s recommendations covered three strategic areas: leadership; influence; and engagement.
In January 2007, RCUK published its Action Plan, Increasing the Economic Impact of the Research Councils , which sets out how the Research Councils will take forward the Warry Report’s recommendations.
In May 2007 RCUK commissioned two studies in implementing its strategy, a survey of users and a study to establish a baseline assessment of the economic impact of the Research Councils.
The Research Councils have nominated Professor Philip Esler, the Chief Executive of the Arts and Humanities Research Council to drive forward this programme of work.