Professor Mitchell was made an Honorary Professor in June 2003.

He is accountable to the Chief Executive of the Met Office for providing the climate science strategy and delivery, and contributing to overall corporate management and strategy. His role is to ensure that the Met Office retains their world-leading position in climate, and use this to develop a thriving business giving advice on climate change.

Professor Mitchell joined the Met Office in 1973 after completing a PhD in atomic physics in Belfast. He has spent most of his time since then trying to understand and predict climate changes, apart from two short spells forecasting in Bracknell. In 2002 he became Chief Scientist with substantially greater management responsibilities. This gave him a much broader view of research and the wider workings of the Met Office. In 2006 he moved to the newly created post of Director of Climate Science.