The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

11 June 2008

The NDA will today start its search for a successor to Dr Ian Roxburgh who will be stepping down as CEO at the end of July, following the announcement of the preferred bidder for the Sellafield PBO competition and the laying before Parliament of the NDA’s Annual Report and Accounts for 2007/8.

Stephen Henwood, NDA Chairman, said:

"Since September 2004, Dr Ian Roxburgh has led the formation of the NDA, the definition of a strategy that has received ministerial approval and its initial implementation. The agreement of funding in the Comprehensive Spending Round 07, the successful outcome of the competition for the low level waste repository and the competition for the Sellafield contract due to be let later this year are the tangible deliverables from that strategy.

Against this background the NDA moves to the next stage of its development with the implementation of the Sellafield contract, competitions for other activities, the development of the next strategy and the next funding round.

The commitment to the next phase is a considerable one and it is desirable that there is continuity of leadership through it. Having established the NDA, the length of that commitment was not one Ian wished to take on at this stage in his career. We will start the process of recruiting his successor immediately. From 1st August Richard Waite, our Divisional Director - Strategy and Technology, will become Acting Chief Executive and I will be working closely with him and the Executive team during this transitional period.

Ian has agreed to provide consultancy advice until the end of the year. Ian has shown great drive and determination in establishing the NDA and guiding it through its early years with considerable success. I am very grateful for the support he has given me as the incoming Chairman. The NDA faces many challenges; its ability to face those challenges is the legacy of Ian’s leadership."