Andrew Holmes is a synthetic organic and polymer chemist who has carried out research at the interface of chemistry with biology and materials science. His pioneering research in polymer chemistry has also led to major advances in the field of applied organic electronic materials.

Andrew led the chemistry team that, in collaboration with physicists at Cambridge, reported the discovery of light-emitting polymers. He co-founded Cambridge Display Technology in order to exploit their commercial value. He has remained at the forefront of advances in this field and until recently led the Victorian development of printed organic and polymer solar cells as a low-cost source of renewable energy.

He is a recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the 2003 Descartes Prize of the European Union and the Royal Medal from the Royal Society in 2012. Appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2004, and then a Companion of the Order in 2017, for his service to science through research and development, Andrew has since served as Foreign Secretary and subsequently President of the Australian Academy of Science.