Sir John Holman is an emeritus professor of chemistry at the University of York, a senior advisor in education at the Welcome Trust and the Gatsby Foundation, founding director of the National Science Learning Centre, Chair of the Teacher Development Trust and immediate past president of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

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He was named in 2014 by the Science Council as one of the UK's 100 leading practicing scientists, and was the 2014 recipient of the Royal Society's biennial Kavli Education Medal, "in recognition of his significant impact on science education within the UK".

He is author of the Good Career Guidance report for the Gastby Foundation, which is the basis for the English government's national strategy for career guidance in schools: Careers strategy: making the most of everyone's skills and talents.