If you ask him how he’s doing, the man now poised to shape the future of medicine regulation in the United Kingdom might reply with a cheerful “Sugamanu” — Malayalam for “I’m good” — spoken in a soft British accent. Professor Jacob George, newly appointed as the first Chief Medical and Scientific Officer of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK, traces his roots to Edayaranmula, Chengannur, in Kerala.

George’s journey — from a Malayali family that migrated to Malaysia before World War II and later to the UK — has now come full circle as he takes on one of the most prestigious roles in British medicine. MHRA is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.  

“Patient safety and enabling innovation are my key priorities,” George, who will lead MHRA’s science and innovation strategy and oversee the regulation of medicines and medical products across the UK, told Onmanorama. The newly created position combines the duties of both the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Scientific Officer, giving him broad authority over the country’s medical field. “The role covers everything — from ensuring the right drugs are licensed to shaping how science drives safer healthcare,” he explains.

Currently a Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine and Therapeutics at the University of Dundee Medical School in Scotland, George has been with the institution for over two decades. A Consultant Physician specialising in Clinical Pharmacology and General Internal Medicine, and an accredited European Hypertension Specialist, he also leads the Cardiovascular Risk Service at NHS Tayside. Though his new role requires frequent travel to London, George plans to continue his clinical practice in Dundee. “I’ll step back from teaching but continue seeing patients. That’s something I can’t give up,” he says. "We have been living here for the past 23 years. We love it here, so I’ll commute as needed for work,” he says.

Born in Malaysia, George is a member of the third generation of the Alacot family that first moved from Kerala to Southeast Asia. His connection to his ancestral land remains deeply personal. “My first visit to Kerala was in 1982, when my grandmother was still alive. My fondest memories are of her — her cooking, her kindness, and the way she drew water from the well,” he recalls. “She passed away in 1987, and she was my strongest link to Kerala.”

His father’s brothers still live in Chengannur, and his family keeps in touch with them. His wife, born in Kottayam, wished to marry in her hometown — their wedding took place in 2005 at St Peter’s Mar Thoma Church, Manganam. “Your identity is tied to your culture and your land,” George says with pride.

Reflecting on his early visits, he smiles: “Those days were carefree — just being with cousins, eating my grandma’s food, surrounded by the warmth of family. Even today, when I return, the people’s kindness and the vibrancy of Kerala always stay with me.”

Taking up the MHRA post marks a major professional transition. “The scale is bigger, but the fundamentals are the same,” George explains. “It’s about making evidence-based decisions that affect nearly 70 million people — and beyond, since other regulators often look to the UK for guidance. It’s a huge responsibility, but one that’s shared with a brilliant team.”

He hopes to strengthen collaboration between the MHRA and international counterparts, particularly in India, China, Brazil, and Indonesia. “Drug development is global. Regulators must work together across borders to ensure patients everywhere have access to safe, effective medicines,” he says. “With online pharmaceutical markets expanding, global cooperation is more crucial than ever.”

George views his appointment as a recognition of the Malayali diaspora’s global contribution and the UK’s openness to talent. “The United Kingdom values ability over origin, and that’s something I truly respect,” he says.

Above all, he remains steadfast in his mission: “Nothing comes before patient safety.” He adds, “Patients must be protected but also benefit from innovation. Regulators, researchers, and clinicians should work together to make healthcare safer and smarter — not create unnecessary barriers.”

As he prepares for this new chapter, George says he still dreams of returning one day to where it all began. “I’d love to retire in Kerala or Malaysia,” he smiles. “But for now, there’s important work to do.”