Introduction
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Introduction from the Minister
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Introduction from the Chair
Thank you for your interest in the role of Group Chief Executive Officer at the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). This is a nationally significant opportunity to lead one of the world’s most complex and important environmental programmes.
The NDA is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) sponsored by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). Its mission spans 120 years and involves the decommissioning and clean-up of 17 former nuclear sites across the UK; facilities that once supported national defence and electricity generation, the most significant of which are Sellafield and Dounreay. The NDA is also responsible for creating long-term, safe and secure storage for current and future nuclear waste in the form of a Geological Disposal Facility, which is essential to the future of nuclear power in the UK and the country’s transition to greener, sustainable energy.
The NDA group directly employs some 19,000 people and is supported by a large and skilled supply chain. The group includes four main subsidiary operating companies, Sellafield Ltd, Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS), Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) and Nuclear Transport Solutions (NTS), each with distinct responsibilities and, together, they collectively tackle the UK’s nuclear legacy. The group is home to some of the UK’s most challenging technical problems as well as worldclass engineering expertise.
As NDA Group Chief Executive Officer, you will lead the NDA group in delivering its mission safely, efficiently and responsibly. As NDA Group CEO you will be accountable to the NDA Chair and Board, and ultimately to government ministers, for the performance and governance of the organisation. You will also hold the role of Accounting Officer, accountable to Parliament, responsible for ensuring that public funds are used appropriately, effectively, and with full transparency. The NDA group’s annual funding is more than £4bn, and as Accounting Officer, the NDA Group CEO is responsible for ensuring that this investment delivers maximum public value, balancing mission acceleration, safety, sustainability and fiscal responsibility.
The NDA’s mission continues to grow. Following revised arrangements with EDF Energy, the NDA is now responsible for the decommissioning of the UK’s fleet of seven Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGR) stations. These sites will transfer to the NDA once defueling is complete, with the first site set to transfer in 2026.
In addition to its core mission, the NDA plays a strategic role in supporting the UK’s future energy ambitions. Under the Energy Act, the NDA is required to release land for beneficial use. This includes working with government and industry partners to explore opportunities, including for new nuclear development and clean energy projects on NDA-owned land. The CEO will be expected to lead engagement with stakeholders including Great British Energy – Nuclear, local authorities and communities, and developers to ensure that land reuse aligns with mission needs and national energy policy.
This role demands exceptional leadership and strategic vision, a commitment to public safety and environmental responsibility, and ensuring long-term value for the taxpayer. You will work closely with the Board, subsidiary operating companies, government, industry partners and stakeholders to ensure effective and efficient delivery of the mission, strengthen organisational culture, build capability, and unlock opportunities for future use of our sites.
There is a significant international element, working and leading relationships with peers and partners in the USA, Canada, Japan, France and Germany and the IAEA, amongst others. You will also lead relationships with other partners and stakeholders in the UK including regulators, His Majesty’s Treasury, devolved governments, the Ministry of Defence, the Atomic Weapons Establishment and the UKAEA, as well as other government departments and constituency MPs.
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, particularly those from underrepresented groups.
If you believe you have the experience, leadership qualities and strategic insight to guide the NDA through this long-term mission, we look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Peter Hill CBE
Chair, NDA
Additional introductions
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Appointment description
Following the announcement that David Peattie will step down as the NDA Group Chief Executive Officer in March 2027, the NDA has initiated a search to find his successor. This is an exciting time to join the NDA. There is a significant opportunity to deliver on the Board’s vision and mission: to safely, securely and sustainably clean up the UK’s nuclear legacy and to be the world leader in nuclear decommissioning. More broadly, the NDA group will play an intrinsic role in supporting the UK’s ambition on energy security and achieving net zero.
Role Purpose:
The NDA Group Chief Executive Officer is responsible for delivering on the priorities and commitments of government as our shareholder, ensuring that the NDA delivers on the key mission, including the deliverables specified in the Energy Act 2004 and the NDA Strategy. The NDA Group CEO will ensure the organisation maintains the capacity and capability to deliver the mission safely and securely, whilst maximising value for money for the UK taxpayer. In addition, as Accounting Officer (AO), the NDA Group CEO is directly accountable to Parliament for the handling and use of public funds.
The NDA Group CEO is responsible for the day-to-day operational management of the NDA and the performance of the executive management team. Additionally, the NDA Group CEO represents the NDA group, His Majesty’s Government, and the UK nuclear sector on a regional, national and international stage to build trust and inspire confidence in the NDA and the UK’s global leading expertise in nuclear decommissioning. This is especially the case with key international partners, including the United States, Japan and France.
Strategic Priorities:
- Safely and securely deliver the mission of the NDA group – to decommission the legacy nuclear sites across the UK demonstrating value for money for the UK taxpayer.
- Drive efficiency and excellence through the NDA group model - continuous improvement across mission delivery, optimising efficiency, effectiveness and functional excellence.
- Ensure maximum utilisation of assets, whilst focusing on performance, identifying the root causes of mission delivery challenges and driving innovation and solutions.
- Build trust and confidence in key stakeholders, including government, politicians and the communities in which our 17 sites are based.
- Develop the role of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority as a global leader in nuclear decommissioning and in support of the government’s ambition for energy security and achieving net zero.
Key Accountabilities:
- Lead the organisation’s strategic direction with a compelling vision for the nuclear decommissioning mission.
- Drive the transformation of the organisation and our capability to deliver the NDA mission and our commitments.
- Engage the Board, Executive, senior leadership, our people and stakeholders in the organisation’s vision and operational delivery.
- Lead the organisation, leadership team and operating company CEOs.
- Communicate on behalf of the organisation, safeguarding and developing its reputation and its influence within the nuclear sector and across the wider government landscape.
- Develop, manage and influence senior stakeholder relationships and expectations (i.e. shareholder, central and local government, regulatory, public, wider interest groups, supply chain, partner organisations and sector networks).
- Accountable for organisational decision making and performance, achievement of commitments, outcomes and targets.
- As the Accounting Officer, manage the financial resources delegated to the NDA, and maintain an open and transparent relationship with DESNZ, UK Government Investments (UKGI) and HM Treasury, including through ensuring appropriate sharing and reporting of data.
- Provide the Board and relevant stakeholders with management assurance for the organisation, and appropriate risk assessment and management.
- Drive supply chain performance and capability to deliver the required outcomes for the organisation.
Accounting Officer Responsibilities:
The Accounting Officer (AO) for the NDA group is responsible for safeguarding the public funds held by the Company and for ensuring propriety, regularity, value for money and efficiency in the handling and use of public funds. As AO, the NDA Group CEO will ensure that NDA is run following the principles, rules, guidance and advice set out in ‘Managing Public Money’ and the supporting guidance on spending controls produced by the Cabinet Office, other than where alternative arrangements are detailed in the Framework Document or have otherwise been agreed between government and the NDA. In particular, as AO, the NDA Group CEO must:
- Act if the Board is contemplating a course of action involving a transaction which the AO considers would infringe the requirements of propriety or regularity, or does not represent prudent or economical administration, efficiency or effectiveness, is of questionable feasibility, or is unethical.
- Give evidence where required to the National Audit Office, the Public Accounts Committee or relevant Select Committees on their oversight of the NDA’s stewardship of public funds.
- Publish an Annual Report and Accounts under company law and International Financial Reporting Standards, in line with Government Financial Reporting Manual (FReM).
- Ensure that proper records are kept relating to any financial data for consolidation in the Department Annual Report and Accounts and provide any necessary statement to that effect.
- Produce a statement of the AO’s responsibilities as support to the Department Annual Report and Accounts.
- Sign a governance statement regarding the system of internal control, as support to the Department Annual Report and Accounts.
- Receive and act in accordance with a budget delegation each year from the Department that is in accordance with the DESNZ funding.
Health, Safety and Security
The NDA Group CEO is accountable for delivery and governance of the regulatory requirements across the NDA group, providing leadership, interpretation and support as appropriate.
- Embed health, safety and security as the first imperative across all areas of responsibility.
- Engage and collaborate with the wider business, supply chain and other stakeholders to promote health, safety and security.
- Chair the Cyber Security Oversight Group on behalf of the wider sector for DESNZ.
- Lead the evolution of a culture that follows fair rules effectively, welcomes opportunities to learn from incidents and near misses, taking appropriate remedial action and holding people to account when necessary.
Financial and Commercial Authority
The NDA Group CEO is accountable for all capital investment, operational expenditure and related commercial decisions. The NDA Group CEO has contractual and financial authority as outlined annually in the AO’s delegation letter, including compliance with Board, shareholder and government budgetary, financial and commercial guidance, including:
- Establish sound governance arrangements, which make clear who is accountable for decisions and delivery of business plan commitments at all levels.
- Ensure that all investment appraisal decisions are made in accordance with the appropriate frameworks and effective scrutiny.
- Ensure that performance data, milestone targets and key performance indicators agreed with DESNZ are actively monitored and reported.
- Ensuring that contracts are monitored against business deliverables and budget allocations and comply with the terms and conditions of contract.
Organisation description
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) is a Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). We were established under the Energy Act (2004) to lead one of the most complex and nationally significant environmental programmes in the
world. For over twenty years, we have been responsible for the safe, secure and cost-effective decommissioning of the UK’s 17 earliest nuclear sites and associated facilities.
The NDA group brings together the organisations responsible for delivering our mission. It comprises the NDA and its four operating companies: Sellafield Ltd, Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS), Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) and Nuclear Transport Solutions (NTS). Together, we form a group with a shared purpose: to deliver one of the most important programmes in the country.
Our 19,000 strong skilled workforce is central to our success. We are committed to creating great places to work, where everyone is respected, included and empowered to perform at their best. Alongside them, our extensive and highly capable supply chain plays a critical role in delivering our mission, bringing specialist expertise and innovation to some of the most complex nuclear and environmental challenges in the world.