A message of thanks and reflection

As I come to the end of my time at the BIPM, I do so with a deep sense of gratitude. Serving as Director over the past thirteen years has been both an honour and a privilege. I am sincerely thankful to the talented staff of the BIPM for their dedication and commitment to serving National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) around the world, as well as to the International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM) for its support throughout my tenure.

I have been particularly privileged to serve as Director this year, as we celebrated the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Metre Convention and the BIPM itself. This period has provided an opportunity to reflect on our history and be inspired by the technical and scientific achievements that established the metric system and the SI, while also recognising the significant progress made in recent years to incorporate the latest scientific advances into the SI. It has been an equally important moment to look ahead, towards a future in which all States around the world can be linked to the work of the BIPM.

One of the great pleasures of this role, for me, has been welcoming colleagues from across the international metrology community to meetings at the BIPM. It has been humbling to see the diversity of this community and the breadth of its achievements. We can all be proud that measurement science remains an area in which States choose to work together and that we have the international, regional and national structures in place to make this happen.

Looking ahead with confidence

As I prepare to leave my role as Director, I do so with confidence in the future of the organization and in the leadership that will guide it forward. Earlier this year, the CIPM appointed Dr Annette Koo of New Zealand as the next Director of the BIPM. I have valued the opportunity to work alongside Dr Koo in recent months and to hear some of her vision for the organization. I am confident that the BIPM, and the international metrology community it serves, are in very good hands.

I am also encouraged by the growing involvement of a new generation of metrologists, whose skills, perspectives and engagement with emerging technologies bring fresh opportunities for innovation, collaboration and impact across the international measurement system.

With sincere thanks

On a personal note, I have learned a great deal during my time as Director, and I hope I have been able to contribute just as much in return. My wife, Christine, and I have made many good friends during our years in France and have thoroughly enjoyed living in Sèvres. In recent weeks, it has been a pleasure to share memories with many of you and to say au revoir. We will now return to our home in England and look ahead to the next chapter with family and friends.

Finally, I would like to thank you all for your collaboration over the years. Working together, we have been able to meet the expectations placed on the BIPM and to support users around the world. I leave with pride in what has been achieved and with my warmest thanks to the entire BIPM community.