The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

A career's worth of experience in the nuclear industry gives John an insider's understanding of the layers of complexity that need to be addressed in the years ahead, and he is absolutely clear about his priorities.

In line with the Strategy published last year, John's vision for the organisation is to keep the attention very firmly on Sellafield's high hazard facilities, particularly the ageing ponds and silos, to which significant amounts of funding are allocated. He is unapologetic about this while stressing that other sites and facilities are no less important but perhaps slightly less urgent.

"We will absolutely keep a healthy focuson the wider estate but we will always be turning an eye to Sellafield, which is hugely important and dominates our thinking – because it has to."

Approximately half of the NDA's £3 billion annual budget is spent at Sellafield, where ageing plant and assets have deteriorated due to a historic lack of investment, and where remediation and repair workis often necessary before the task of decommissioning can begin.

One of his first actions has therefore been to ask Mark Lesinski to increase his focuson Sellafield, with some changes to Mark's structure allowing him to do this. John is also looking to ensure that the NDA is seen as a professional, respectful organisation with a clear focus on our core mission ofdecommissioning.

"Our remit is purely to get the job done, and that is why we were established in the first place. We need to be clear in our requirements of our SLCs and Parent Body Organisations, to expect high levels of performance and to recognise the positions held and work undertaken by those who operate the sites," he added.

John grew up in Seascale, Cumbria, and is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (FIChemE). His early career involved a range of roles in the design, development, commissioning and operation of nuclear fuel processing plants.

He joined the NDA Board in 2008 from International Nuclear Services Ltd where he was Managing Director. Prior to that he spent eight years as part of the Sellafield Ltd Executive team, with five years as Head of Environmental, Health, Safety and Quality (EHSQ), followed by three years as Director of Production, where he was accountable for the majority of operational activities at Sellafield.

However, his first day as NDA Chief Executive took him to the far north of Scotland for the Dounreay share transfer event where a two-year competitive process led to the appointment of Babcock Dounreay Partnership, who will guide the Site Licence Company through the next critical years while all the major decommissioning work is carried out.

"For the NDA, the appointment of a new Parent Body Organisation is an opportunity to harness international expertise and bring fresh thinking to issues. We are delighted to welcome BDP but are conscious that the hard work starts now - putting the plan into action and dealing with the inevitable issues that will arise. We are confident that we found an excellent partner in BDP, however, and that this is the best deal for the taxpayer."

Competition, and the introduction of world-class private-sector experience, has been a defining strategy for the NDA and the next competition process is already taking shape, with the 10 sites operated by Magnox Ltd and the two operated by Research Sites Restoration Ltd due tounder go the procurement exercise.

Shortly after visiting Dounreay, John found himself in Japan, alongside Prime Minister David Cameron discussing how the two countries might share expertise and collaborate as the decommissioning of Fukushima gets under way in earnest. He believes the NDA, which has a long standing commercial relationship with the Japanese nuclear industry, and the UKsupply chain, together with international partners, will be able to offer valuable support should this be needed.

Back at home, John will be keeping up the pressure to accelerate high hazard work and deliver real progress, while ensuring safety and environmental responsibility remain a priority at all times.