Malaysian Academic Jacob George Makes History as UK’s New Chief Medical Officer

KUALA LUMPUR, 17 November 2025: Kuala Lumpur-born academic Professor Jacob George has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Chief Medical and Scientific Officer of the United Kingdom’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Professor George, 50, an expert in Clinical Pharmacology and General Internal Medicine, will officially assume his new role on January 5, 2026, overseeing the safety and effectiveness of medicines, vaccines, and health technologies used across the UK. His appointment is seen as a proud moment for the Malaysian expatriate community worldwide.

New Role and Mission

Based primarily at the MHRA’s London office and science campus in Hertfordshire, Professor George will guide the influential public health body. “I look forward to working with colleagues to advance patient care and drive life science innovation,” he told Bernama, adding that his appointment reflects “not just my personal journey, but also the strength of the Malaysian expatriate community.”

Professor George currently serves as the Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine and Therapeutics at the University of Dundee Medical School in Scotland, where he will continue to reside. He also holds a role as a European Chartered Hypertension Specialist. 

From Klang to International Leadership

Professor George’s journey began in Selangor, where he was raised on the Bukit Rajah estate in Meru, Klang. He recalled a humble and supportive childhood, with his father working for Sime Darby Plantation and his mother serving as a physiotherapist at the University Hospital in Petaling Jaya.

An alumnus of National Primary School (2) Jalan Batu Tiga and Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) Klang, Professor George expressed immense gratitude for the teachers who shaped his early years, stating, “I’m proud to be a Selangorite.”

Since moving to London in 1995, Professor George has built a distinguished international career. He has maintained ties to his home country, having been appointed in 2017 as an International Expert Advisor to the Malaysian Scientific Review Panel for Phase I Clinical Trials, a position he continues to hold.