John Holman is Emeritus Professor in the Chemistry Department at the University of York, Past-President of the Royal Society of Chemistry (2016-2018), and Senior Adviser in Education at the Gatsby Foundation. He was the Founding Director of the National Science Learning Centre from 2004 until September 2010, and adviser to the English government as National Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Director from 2006 until September 2010.

He has taught learners of chemistry at both school and undergraduate level, has created curricula and written books for science learners up to and including undergraduates, and was the founding director of the Salters Advanced Chemistry programme.

In 2014 he was named by the Science Council as one of the 100 leading practising and inspirational UK scientists and in the same year won the Royal Society of Chemistry's Lord Lewis Award and the Royal Society's Kavli Education Award. In 2010 he was knighted by the Queen for services to education.