Nutritionist to help the UK eat well in key advisory role

Professor Julie Lovegrove, Director of the Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition at the University of Reading, has been appointed Chair of the UK’s Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN). 

As a guiding voice in the independent group that advises all four UK governments, Professor Lovegrove will help shape and present advice to government, who use SACN’s advice to develop nutritional policies on key dietary issues like protein and vitamin and mineral intakes, wholegrains, and what constitutes a balanced diet. 

Professor Lovegrove said: “I am honoured to take on this role and to work with colleagues to bring the best evidence to bear on decisions that can impact the health of the UK population. An aim is for nutrition advice to be based on robust and transparent assessments of the best available evidence.

“I would like to thank my predecessor Professor Ian Young for his leadership over the past five years. I am very much looking forward to working with the SACN committee and secretariat in my new role”. 

Focus on evidence 

The role of SACN is to provide scientific evidence to advise government, which then sets public health policy. As Chair, Professor Lovegrove will ensure the committee runs effectively and stays focused on evidence evaluation to advise government ministers, officials and the public.  

SACN reviews evidence on areas such as nutrient intakes, population nutrition, and diet-related risks for conditions including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, oral health, osteoporosis and obesity. The Chair represents the consensus of the committee and ensures there is a clear record of how advice is reached. 

Her new role began on 1 March 2026 with an initial three-year term. Professor Lovegrove previously served five years as deputy chair and 10 years as a member of the committee. 

SACN is based in the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, part of the UK government’s Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).