The New Year 2011 marks the move of the Directorship of the BIPM from Professor Andrew J. Wallard into the hands of Professor Michael Kühne. Michael Kühne joined the BIPM in 2009 as Director Designate, before which he was a member of the Presidential Board of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Germany. He is well known in the metrological community, bringing with him a scientific career in metrology as well as wide experience in scientific management, gained both in the PTB and as Chairperson of EURAMET e.V. (the European Association of National Metrology Institutes).

Upon his retirement, Prof. Wallard becomes Director Emeritus of the BIPM.