The CERN Council is the authority that bears the ultimate responsibility for the Organization's decisions on scientific, technical and administrative matters. It is assisted by two main committees: the Scientific Policy Committee and the Finance Committee. The Directorate is the executive body responsible for the execution of the programme and the management of the Organization.
Council
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The CERN Council is the forum in which Member States steer the Organization. It determines CERN's policy in scientific, technical and administrative matters, approves the programmes, adopts the budgets and reviews expenditure. It is composed of two delegates from each Member State, one representing government policies and the other scientific interests.
Scientific Policy Committee
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The Scientific Policy Committee provides advice on the scientific policy of the Organization. Its members are nominated by the Council and chosen solely for their scientific merit, independent of any national interests. It evaluates research projects, advises on the scientific programme, and reviews the relative importance of all activities of the Laboratory.
Finance Committee
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The Finance Committee brings together representatives of Member States to examine financial and administrative matters. It reviews budget estimates, accounts, financial regulations, and contracts involving major expenditures, making recommendations directly to the Council.
Structure as of 2026
Directorate
Responsible for the day-to-day management of the Organization and execution of the programme. The Directorate comprises the Director-General and Directors for specific portfolios.
Heads of departments
Experimental Physics
Emanuele Vianello
Beams
Frank Tecker
Engineering
José Gascon
Information Technology
Enrica Porcu
Commercial and Administrative Services
Stefan Sander
HR Department
Lucia Del Dotto
Safety, Environment and Radiation Protection
Raffaele Perret
Infrastructure and Logistics Services
Pierre Gremaud
Computing, Grid and Software Technical Secretariat
Laura Burga
Communications, Education and Outreach
Anna Gatti
Finance and Budget group
Nadia Basso
Secretariat
David Aaron
Directorate support
David Scherer