The end of December 2003 not only marked the beginning of the New Year at the BIPM, it also represented the end of an era in the world of metrology with the retirement of Dr Terry Quinn CBE FRS. Terry Quinn has been Director of the BIPM since 1988 and has made significant contributions to metrology both as a scientist and as an administrator. The recent award of a Fellowship of the Royal Society of London and a CBE testify to the many achievements of his distinguished career. Upon his retirement, Dr Quinn becomes Director Emeritus of the BIPM.

At the same time that the beginning of the New Year saw the retirement of Terry Quinn, it also represented the move of the Directorship of the BIPM into the very capable hands of Professor Andrew Wallard. Andrew Wallard is well known to those associated with the BIPM, having been Director designate for the last two years, before which he was Deputy Director and Chief Metrologist of the National Physical Laboratory (UK) and member of the CIPM.