study procedures and technology, using systems designed and developed by the Clinical Trial Service Unit. This consisted of a series of pilot studies of increasing complexity and sophistication with interludes for assessment of results and additional scientific input. In-house trials were conducted during 2005, and a fully integrated clinic was run at Altrincham, Greater Manchester throughout Spring 2006 where 3,800 individuals were assessed. On August 22, 2006, it was announced that the main programme would recruit men and women aged between 40 and 69 based from up to 35 regional centres, however recruitment proved more efficient than hoped and only 22 centres had been opened when the recruitment target of 500,000 was reached in 2010. Initial information collected The study was initially launched with a visit consisting of the following: A paperless consent process A touchscreen questionnaire on lifestyle and general health Touchscreen tests of memory An interview with a nurse on detailed medical history Measurement of blood pressure Measurement of sitting and standing heights Measurement of weight Body composition measurement using impedance Measurement of grip-strength Breath spirometry Ultrasound bone densitometry of the heel Collection of blood and urine samples Once the visit-based assessment method was proven, the range of investigations was extended to include: Test of hearing discrimination Measurement of arterial pulse-wave velocity Measurement of visual acuity Measurement of intra-ocular pressure Lens refractometry Fundus image of retina Optical coherence tomography scan of retina Electrocardiogram during exercise Collection of saliva sample Dietary assessment Ethics and governance The UK Biobank project operates within the terms of an Ethics and Governance Framework. The Framework describes a series of standards to which UK Biobank will operate during the creation, maintenance and use of the resource and it elaborates on the commitments that are involved to those participating in the project, researchers and the public more broadly. The independent UK Biobank Ethics and Governance Council provides advice to the project and monitors its conformity with the Framework. The Council also advises more generally on the interests of research participants and the general public in relation to the project. The UK Biobank Board is accountable to the members of the company (the Medical Research Council and The Wellcome Trust) and acts as company directors and as charity trustees. It is chaired by Lord Kakkar, who succeeded Sir Michael Rawlins in January 2020. Recruitment Following the initial pilot stage in the 2005-6 period, the main study