Brian Sims
Editor
Brian Sims
Editor
AFTER ALMOST a decade in the role of the Royal United Services Institute’s (RUSI) director general, Doctor Karin von Hippel has announced her intent to move on. In post since 2015, von Hippel has witnessed the Institute grow and change considerably. Notably, the Institute has more than doubled its size from around 55 employees to more than 120 and grown annual income from circa £6 million to more than £16 million.
Photograph: World Economic Forum/Flickr/Creative Commons https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/
Crucially, von Hippel has overseen the successful fundraising for – and the renovation of – RUSI’s historic home on London’s Whitehall, with the building reopening in 2023 after a three-year transformation project.
At the same time, the Institute’s profile has never been higher, with RUSI experts making vital contributions to the understanding of an increasingly complex world.
As an independent institution, RUSI produces evidence-based research, publications and events on defence, security and international affairs in order to help build a safer UK and a more secure, equitable and stable world.
Strong footing
Reflecting on her time leading RUSI, von Hippel observed: “I’m incredibly proud of everything that RUSI has achieved over these past years. We’ve grown, put the Institute on a strong footing for its long-term future and solidified a reputation as an independent and impartial thought leader. RUSI is a trusted convenor on the most critical defence, security and geo-political issues.”
von Hippel continued: “What I’m most proud of is the fact that these successes have come as a team. I’m grateful to all of the RUSI staff members with whom I’ve worked, both past and present. I also want to thank Lord Hague and Sir David Lidington for the support they’ve provided as chairs of RUSI, along with our Trustees, Advisory Board members, Associate Fellows and our donors. We’ve enjoyed incredible support from His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, and I leave the organisation knowing full well that RUSI will be privileged to have His Majesty The King as our Patron.”
Dr von Hippel will leave RUSI once her permanent successor has been identified and appointed. The transition is expected to take place towards the end of the year in the wake of a recruitment process led by RUSI’s Trustees.
National and global reputation
Sir David Lidington KCB CBE, chair of RUSI, added: “Under Karin’s leadership, RUSI has steadily enhanced its national and global reputation as one of the world’s leading Think Tanks on defence, security and international policy. She has overseen a significant expansion of the Institute’s work from military science through to cyber and financial crime, sanctions policy and climate security.”
Sir David added: “Thanks to Karin, RUSI is in a strong academic and financial position. She can look back with justified pride on her achievements at RUSI and takes with her my grateful thanks, that of the Trustees and, indeed, everyone connected with the Institute.”
*Further information is available online at www.rusi.org
