The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 8 September 2026.
His Majesty the King, on the advice of the Prime Minister, has appointed André Loranger as the new National Statistician.
André will replace Emma Rourke who stepped down from the role in December 2025, having stepped in following the departure of Sir Ian Diamond in May 2025.
André is currently the Chief Statistician of Canada, a role he has held for over two years. André has extensive experience in public sector statistics, with a career spanning nearly three decades in the Canadian Government, starting in 1997 as an economist.
As National Statistician, Andre will lead the wider UK statistical system, providing advice to the government on statistical matters.
The appointment comes after an extensive recruitment process, overseen by the independent First Civil Service Commissioner and UK Statistics Authority.
The Cabinet Secretary, Dame Antonia Romeo, said:
I am delighted to welcome André Loranger as our new National Statistician. André brings a wealth of experience to lead the statistics system and support the ONS to provide the trusted statistics that are essential for good policy and decision making in government.
I look forward to working closely with André as we ensure the UK’s statistics continue to support the outcomes that matter most to the public.
Interim Chair of the UK Statistics Authority, Penny Young said:
André Loranger is a world-renowned expert and a passionate advocate of trustworthy, independent official statistics – statistics that help people, businesses and governments make better-informed decisions every day. I am delighted that he has been appointed as the UK’s next National Statistician.
Commenting on his appointment, André Loranger said:
I am honoured to have the opportunity to serve as National Statistician of the United Kingdom. Throughout my career, I have championed the importance of trusted, independent official statistics and the vital role they play in informing decision-making and serving the public. I look forward to working with my new colleagues in the UK statistical system as we build on that important work together.
In his role as National Statistician, André will be the principal adviser on statistics to the UK Statistics Authority Board, the Government and ministers. He will also serve as Head of the Government Statistical Service, the network of all professional statisticians working across the UK government. His appointment provides fresh leadership to drive forward priorities across the UK statistical system.