A number of changes to ECMWF’s senior leadership took effect on 1 January 2026.
Florian Pappenberger succeeded Florence Rabier as Director-General at the start of the year. Florian was previously Director of Forecasts and Services.
Andy Brown stepped down as Director of Research at the end of December 2025. Stephen English, formerly Deputy Director of Research and Lead Scientist, is acting as Director of Research. Following Florian Pappenberger’s move to Director-General, Umberto Modigliani, previously Deputy Director of Forecasts in the Forecasts and Services Department, became acting Director of Forecasts and Services.
These acting appointments provide stability and continuity while recruitment processes for the roles are carried out in due course.