David Phoenix

David Andrew Phoenix (born 1966) is an English biochemist and Chief Executive of London South Bank University.

Academic background
Phoenix read biochemistry at the University of Liverpool followed by completion of a doctorate on amphiphilic membrane protein anchors. He studied part-time to obtain a degree in mathematics from the Open University and moved into the field of molecular engineering. He has published widely on the structure-function relationship of amphiphilic biomolecules, obtaining a Chair in Biochemistry in 2000. His work is multidisciplinary and focuses on the understanding of the structure function relationships used by amphiphilic bioactive molecules. He is especially known for his work on the design of antimicrobial peptides which led to the award of a Higher Doctorate by Liverpool University. He has held Visiting Chairs in Russia, China, Canada and the UK, including King's College London and Sichuan University.

In addition to peer-reviewed papers, edited collections and research monographs he has also been recognised for publication of undergraduate textbooks and has written widely on the development of technical education and skills. He was elected to the Academy of Social Sciences for this work.

He has an been involved in STEM communication and outreach as Editor in Chief for journals such as Biologist which are aimed at a broader readership and as Vice Chair of the Science Museum Group and Chair of the Museum for Science and Industry.

Significant awards

 * 2009 Awarded a D.Sc. by Liverpool University.
 * 2010 Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2010 Birthday Honours.
 * 2012 Conferred the title of Academician by the Academy of Social Sciences.
 * 2013 Awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the University of Bolton (DUniv).
 * 2013 Elected as a non-medic to Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.
 * 2015 Deputy Lieutenant, DL, Greater London.
 * 2016 Appointed to Friendship Award (China)

Professional recognition
He was granted Chartered Chemist status by the Royal Society of Chemistry in the UK and later made a Fellow of the Society (FRSC). In addition, he was recognised as a Chartered Biologist and became a Fellow of the Institute of Biology, (FIBiol). He also became recognised as a Chartered Mathematician and later advanced to Fellowship of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications. In 2007 he was recognised as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine and is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology. In 2008 his work in support of teaching was recognised by the award of a Senior Fellowship by the Higher Education Academy and later advanced to Principal Fellow

Career history
His PhD work engaged his interest in the role amphiphilicity plays in driving the interaction of bioactive molecules with cell membranes. He was awarded a long-term fellowship by the European Molecular Biology Organisation which enabled him to investigate the importance of amphiphilicity in protein translocation at Utrecht University Centre for Biomembranes and Lipid Enzymology. He continued to work on amphiphilic helices, being one of the first to help characterise their role as membrane protein anchors. He later expanded this work to investigate the importance of structure-function relationships in the design of antimicrobial peptides.

In 2000 he launched a new Department of Forensic and Investigative Science at the University of Central Lancashire and in 2002 he became Dean of Science and Technology when he launched a new School of Pharmacy. During this time he also remained the UK representative on the European Committee of Biological Associations (ECBA) and for a while was a Commissioner for Biotechnology. He remains an international advisor on higher education and science to the University of Guyana.

In 2008 he became Deputy Vice-Chancellor with responsibility for strategic planning and performance across the University of Central Lancashire group. In 2010 he created UCLan Biomedical Technology Ltd, a research institute based in Shenzhen, China, which focuses on areas of nanoscience and nanoengineering. As the inaugural Chair he oversaw the development of research collaborations with key Chinese universities such as Fudan University and Sichuan University. In 2012 he became Chair of UCLan Cyprus Ltd and provided the academic lead on the de novo creation of a private university in Larnaca, obtaining a licence to operate from the Ministry of Education with approval to initially run courses in business, languages, law, computing and mathematics.

In 2013 he was selected to replace Martin Earwicker upon his retirement as Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of London South Bank University. In 2014 he became Chair of MillionPlus, The Association for Modern Universities

Public service
He was appointed to an advisory committee for the appointment of Justice of the Peace by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, a service which at the time came under the auspices of the Department for Constitutional Affairs. His work has tended to remain focused around the public understanding of science and education more broadly defined. He was appointed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as a Trustee for the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, and since 2018 has been its Chair as it transitioned to the Science and Industry Museum.

In 2015 was appointed by the Prime Minister to the Board of the Science Museum Group, where he later became Vice-Chair. He has been a Trustee of both public and independent secondary schools and created South Bank Academies Trust in South London leading it first as Chair then as a Director. In 2009 he was appointed as an Ambassador to the Government Equalities Office to support work focused on increasing diversity in public life.