Non Executive Directorships

Office for Nuclear Regulation Non-Executive Director

Location: Various

Date Posted: 02/04/2025

Closing Date: 02/05/2025

£15,000 per annum/ 30 days per annum

About the appointment

Introduction

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) is a public corporation sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). ONR is responsible for the regulation of nuclear safety, nuclear security and safeguards, and nuclear site health and safety across the UK.

ONR’s vision is to be a modern, transparent regulator delivering trusted outcomes and value. The nuclear landscape ONR regulates is changing at pace. In February 2025, the Government announced its National Policy Statement, detailing significant changes to siting and planning procedures to allow for speedier new nuclear provision. ONR is committed to regulating in a way that supports cost-effective and efficient nuclear deployment while maintaining nuclear safety and the protection of workers and the public as its top priority.

DWP is seeking a Non-Executive Director with a range of established skills and competences to contribute to ONR’s strategic direction to 2030 and beyond, to drive regulatory excellence and to oversee the organisation’s governance arrangements.

Introduction from the Chair

A Message from Dr Nicola Crauford, Office for Nuclear Regulation Chair

Thank you for your interest in the role of Non-Executive Director on the ONR Board.

This is an important role providing strong strategic leadership of the UK’s independent nuclear regulator tasked with holding the industry to account on behalf of the public.

I feel privileged to be leading ONR as its new Chair, having been appointed in March this year for a five-year term. I cannot over-emphasise the crucial role that ONR plays in helping to keep society, the public safe through the robust and efficient regulation of the civil nuclear industry.

Across the nuclear sector there will be many challenges ahead as the industry undergoes significant growth, diversification and change and as ONR strives to be more ambitious, demonstrating our commitment to regulating in a way that supports cost effective and efficient nuclear operations, innovation and technological advancement, and to ensure we can fully play our part in a safe, secure and sustainable nuclear future for the UK. There has never been a more exciting time to join the organisation to help to provide the strategic direction to achieve our mission: to protect society by securing safe nuclear operations.

In the short time I have been in post, I have been struck by the professionalism, dedication and commitment of those I’ve met at every level in the organisation in ensuring that the nuclear industry is safe. I have been impressed too by the strength and breadth of experience of my fellow Board colleagues and the way the Board operates to support the organisation to achieve its goals and mission.

We are looking to recruit to the ONR Board a dynamic, enthusiastic, and committed person, with an interest in energy and nuclear matters, who will share our vision and direction for ONR and nuclear regulation. We need someone who relishes being part

of the Board as we respond to an ever-changing nuclear landscape. I firmly believe that time spent as a Board member will in turn be thoroughly rewarding. If you think you have got what it takes to add value to the Board then please apply.

I am personally committed to promoting greater diversity within ONR and value the individual contributions that people from different backgrounds and experiences can bring and welcome applications from the widest possible field of candidates.

If you have questions about the appointment process, you can contact the DWP Public Appointments Team, on [email protected].

Additional introductions

Peter Schofield

I want DWP and our arm’s-length bodies to be places where everyone, whatever their background, feels encouraged to achieve their potential. I believe attracting talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, including regional diversity and the full range of socio- economic groups, will allow us to be better able to provide the best possible support to those we serve.

DWP continues to support Cabinet Office in working towards 50% of all public appointees to be female and 14% of all public appointments to come from ethnic minority backgrounds. We value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone.

If you are looking for an opportunity to use your talents to make a difference to the lives of millions of your fellow citizens, we look forward to hearing from you.

Appointment description

The successful candidate will contribute to the Board’s role in leading the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) to achieve its vision to be a modern, transparent regulator delivering trusted outcomes and value. Key responsibilities for this role include:

·Helping lead the work of ONR by operating effectively as a Board Member with particular expertise in risk management and by contributing to Board meetings and discussions;

·Participation as chair or member of one or more of the Board’s standing Committees, as required by the ONR Chair and subject to relevant skill sets. This will include the relevant expertise to Chair the ONR Audit and Risk Assurance Committee;

·Maintaining effective working relationships with a broad range of networks and stakeholders;

·Representing ONR externally, acting collectively in representing its activities to stakeholders and the general public;

·Demonstrating a commitment to the Seven Principles of Public life (Annex 1).

Organisation description

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) is the UK’s independent nuclear regulatory authority. Established as a statutory public corporation on 1 April 2014, under the Energy Act 2013, its mission is to protect society by securing safe nuclear operations.

·ONR independently regulates nuclear safety, nuclear security and nuclear site health and safety across 36 licensed nuclear sites and performs targeted inspection activity across their supply chains. It also regulates the transportation of nuclear materials and ensures safeguards obligations for the UK are met.

·ONR is also responsible for regulating the design and construction of new nuclear facilities, ensuring they are built and operated to the highest standards and oversees the decommissioning of nuclear sites. ONR cooperates with other UK and international regulators and agencies on safety and security issues of common concern, including associated research.

·ONR’s duty is to ensure that the nuclear industry controls its hazards effectively, has a culture of continuous improvement and maintains high standards.

·ONR’s gross budget for 2024/2025 was £114.1m. Approximately 95% of its running costs are from the nuclear industry it regulates and government departments to whom it provides a service. 3% of running costs are grant-funded by ONR’s sponsor body, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The remaining 2% is funded from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).

·ONR employs about 675 full time equivalent (FTE) staff across three locations (Liverpool, Cheltenham, and London) with about 413 FTE technical specialist staff.

Regulation of appointment

This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the Commissioner’s website

Person specification

Essential criteria

We are seeking a candidate with the right skills and abilities to complement the existing Board members and who will be able to contribute across the Board’s remit. The successful candidate will need to demonstrate:

·Relationship building: ability to build strong stakeholder relationships, including with Ministers and Senior Government officials and external stakeholders.

·Communication: strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to listen, accept challenge and constructively challenge others in discussions with clarity and respect.

·Judgement: effective decision-making skills with the ability to critically analyse a wide range of information to make clear and objective evidence-based recommendations to support the delivery of the organisation’s objectives.

·Collaboration: ability to work closely with the executive board and other key stakeholders, providing support, constructive challenge and assurance as appropriate.

·Experience of working in finance and/or risk management, and able to ensure effective governance and risk management frameworks are in place.

Desirable criteria

Understanding of accountancy, governance, assurance and risk management, audit.

·Candidates to have knowledge of, or a willingness to develop, an understanding of the policy and political environment within which the public sector operates whilst being clear on their non-executive role to support the nuclear regulator’s priorities.

·An understanding of regulation and the role of regulators.

Apply here

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Other Positions Available:

Adaptation Sub-Committee of the Climate Change Committee x 2

Location: Various

Date Posted: 11/04/2025

Closing Date: 11/05/2025