A warm welcome to the UK’s new National Statistician

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André Loranger took up his role as the UK’s National Statistician at the start of November. In this blog, Ed Humpherson, Director General of the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR), gives André a warm welcome and talks about the importance of André’s role for the UK’s statistical system.

I’m sure everyone will join me in welcoming our new National Statistician, both to the UK and to his pivotal role in our country’s statistical system. André serves as the principal adviser on statistics to the UK Statistics Authority board, the UK Government and ministers, and is head of the Government Statistical Service (GSS). He will also advise and support the Office for National Statistics in its work, including its improvements to economic statistics and preparation for the next Census in 2031. André arrives with a wealth of experience (29 years with Statistics Canada), a strong international perspective, and a clear commitment to statistics that are trustworthy, high quality, and valuable. 

There is no disguising that taking on such a critical role will be challenging. The statistical system is operating under various pressures, but André joins a community with substantial strengths. For me, the recent GSS Conference brought those strengths to life. 

What stood out at the conference was not simply the range of knowledge and expertise on display, impressive though that was. It was the openness, curiosity, and shared sense of purpose across the community that left me feeling positive. Colleagues were willing to talk honestly, to learn from one another, and to focus on how statistics can better inform decisions and serve the public. I came away encouraged and inspired. The conference offered a reminder that the statistical system is a community of people, spread across departments and administrations, who care deeply about doing good work. 

This community has already provided continuity through a period of transition. Established GSS networks have sustained collaboration, shared practice and professional standards. Strengthened and dedicated leadership is essential, but leadership is strongest when it connects with the expertise, energy and judgement already present throughout the system. 

The opportunity ahead 

In our latest State of the Statistical System report, OSR identified five areas where clear, system-wide leadership can make a decisive difference:

  • improving transparency about resources and capacity across the statistical system  
  • improving the public reporting of survey quality and what estimates can and cannot support
  • delivering on the priorities emerging from the Statistics Assembly, which include reinvigorating user engagement, improving more granular statistics, scaling up the use of administrative data, and strengthening UK-wide coherence
  • providing direction on the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in official statistics
  • supporting consistent implementation of the refreshed Code of Practice for Statistics

These recommendations are not a checklist for one person or one organisation. They are shared challenges for the whole statistical system. The National Statistician has a unique role in setting direction, making priorities clear, and creating the conditions in which the whole community can contribute. André’s appointment provides an important opportunity to bring coherence and renewed momentum to that work. 

I’m looking forward to hearing his thoughts on statistics in the AI era. In a podcast discussion with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development earlier in the year, André shared his thoughts on topics such as statistics and AI within a public organisation, embedding AI into statistical methods, and the risk of hallucination and misinterpretation. It’s well worth a listen if you have 30 minutes.

Our role at OSR is, of course, an independent one. We will continue to be clear about where progress is needed and candid about risks to trustworthiness, quality and value. Independence, though, does not mean distance from the shared goal. We all want a statistical system that earns public confidence, responds to changing needs, and helps people understand the world around them. 

The recent GSS Conference showed that solid foundations are there: a skilled and committed community, a willingness to be open about challenges, and a strong appetite to improve. With this community behind it, and with strengthened leadership across the system, UK official statistics can move forward from a position of real strength. 

High-quality, trustworthy statistics that meet the needs of its users are central to informed decision making, effective public services, and confident public debate. 

It is hugely encouraging to have someone of André’s calibre in this leadership role, and I look forward to working together on our common objective to support statistics that serve the public good. 

Welcome, André.