Today the UK Statistics Authority has announced the resignation of Sir Ian Diamond as the UK’s National Statistician.
Since joining the organisation more than five and a half years ago, Sir Ian has led the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Government Statistical Service (GSS) with passion and commitment, from playing a leading role in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic to delivering a hugely successful Census 2021.
However, due to ongoing health issues, Sir Ian has decided he is unable to give the full commitment he would like to drive the organisation forward.
Sir Ian said:
“It has been an honour and a privilege to lead the ONS over the past five and a half years and I have been immensely proud of the prominent role that independent statistics and data have played in informing the critical decisions of the day.
“The capability and responsiveness of colleagues across the organisation is reflected by our collective achievements, from working at pace to develop the Coronavirus Infection Survey during the COVID-19 pandemic, to delivering insights to inform the UK humanitarian response to the Ukraine conflict. Harnessing the power of more local, granular and timely data, such as through our ONS Local service, whilst also ensuring the ONS is at the forefront of leading international statistical cooperation highlights its vital and diverse role.
“The next phase of delivery for the ONS will continue to require energetic leadership, including overseeing the implementation of the Devereux Review findings. Unfortunately, I have made the decision that, due to ongoing health issues, I am unable to give the commitment to the role of National Statistician that I would like to and feel that it is the right time for somebody else to pick up the baton.
“I wish the ONS every success as it continues to make progress into the future.”
Sir Ian’s departure is with immediate effect. Emma Rourke, Deputy National Statistician for Health, Population and Methods, will act in his place pending longer term arrangements being put in place.
Reflecting on Sir Ian’s time at the ONS, UK Statistics Authority Chair Sir Robert Chote said:
“I thank Sir Ian for the tireless energy and passionate dedication he has brought to the role of National Statistician and to championing the vital role of statistics across society more broadly.
“He has overseen many successes over his tenure during a remarkable period of economic and societal change, particularly during the pandemic.
“Emma Rourke will be acting up in his place and I know she will continue to drive forward the ONS with a renewed focus on high quality economic and population statistics for the public good as set out last month in the 2025/26 ONS Strategic Business Plan.”