The Society for the Study of Addiction is delighted to announce that Dr Rob Calder will become the charity’s Chief Executive Officer from 1 January 2025.
Martin Wheeler will be retiring at the end of 2024, after leading the Society for the Study of Addiction (SSA) for over 17 years. Martin became the Society’s inaugural Chief Officer in 2007. The SSA is indebted to Martin for his hard work, vision, and careful stewardship. During his tenure, the SSA made transformational changes – in particular to its governance and infrastructure, and the introduction of nearly all of the current funding schemes and initiatives – which have enhanced the reputation of the SSA in the UK and abroad.
Martin will hand over to Rob Calder, who has more than 20 years of experience in policy, research, and treatment in the substance use sector, and has been working for the SSA since 2019, most recently as Head of Communications and Operations. Expressing his confidence in Rob, Martin said:
“Having worked with Rob for over five years, I am confident that I will be handing over the reins to an extremely capable successor who will continue to protect and grow the Society’s impact and reputation in the coming years.”
Rob has been a constant champion of workforce development and science communication at the SSA. His achievements have included modernising the organisation’s digital communications, co-founding an internal equality, diversity, and inclusion working group, and establishing an external network for early career researchers. Asked about his upcoming new role, Rob said:
“I’m proud to work for the SSA. The organisation has a strong history of investing in people who can advance the scientific understanding of addictive products and behaviours, and continues to look for ways to use this understanding to inform policy and practice. I look forward to taking on the job of CEO in the New Year – overseeing all areas of the Society and working closely with Addiction and Addiction Biology as they publish world-leading research.”
Addressing the key role that Rob will play in the Society in the coming years, the SSA’s President Owen Bowden-Jones said:
“I am delighted that Rob will become the Society’s new CEO in the New Year. Rob knows the Society well and will bring experience, boundless enthusiasm, and an innovative approach to the role. I look forward to working with Rob to deliver the Society’s strategic vision.”
Notes to editors
The SSA was established in 1884 and aims to advance the scientific understanding of addiction.
The SSA is a registered charity and owns two high-quality academic journals: Addiction and Addiction Biology.
The SSA holds one of the largest addiction conferences in the UK each November and invests in careers in addiction research through funding schemes and prizes.
For all press enquiries, please contact the SSA’s Website Editor, Natalie Davies.
