Matt Westmore, HRA Chief Executive, reflects on 2021 and shares his pride at the role the HRA has played in the pandemic and beyond as we embed change for the long term.

'As 2021 draws to a close, I wanted to reflect on another challenging year for us all, the UK health research system, and the Health Research Authority.

'COVID-19, of course, remained the biggest single challenge we faced this year and I think the HRA has responded to it extremely strongly.

'Thanks to the hard work, adaptability and dedication of our staff, Research Ethics Committee, Confidentiality Advisory Group and Public Involvement Network members, and our Technical Assurance reviewers, we continued our business-as-usual role of protecting and promoting the interests and opportunities of people in research, and worked to help the NHS and the wider UK research system recover.'