Science|Business Reporting

Iain Gray, former managing director of Airbus UK, has taken up his post as the first Chief Executive of the government-funded body set up to promote and invest in R&D for technology and innovation.

Specialist units set up by UK Revenue and Customs Departments to encourage SMEs to apply for R&D tax credits made cash payments totalling £150 million in the past year.

The UK has strengthened its scientific ties with China with the official opening of the Research Councils UK office in Beijing, the first of its type outside Europe.