The Office for Nuclear Regulation has appointed Mark Foy as its new Chief Nuclear Inspector.
The Chief Nuclear Inspector will lead ONR’s regulatory activity, and is essential to ensuring the success of our work and our drive to be a world-class regulator. The appointment has been made with the approval of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in consultation with Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy ministers.
ONR’s Chair, Nick Baldwin CBE said:
“I’m delighted to appoint Mark to this crucial role at ONR. His combination of personal integrity, technical and regulatory knowledge and personal leadership skills made him an excellent candidate for the highest regulatory role in ONR and he was the panel’s unanimous choice.”
“His expertise will be invaluable in regulating a nuclear industry that is responding to new challenges and increasing demands and ensuring effective enforcement and independent regulatory decision-making. Mark will work closely with the Board and Chief Executive to take forward our published strategy to 2020 and beyond.”
Mark’s 30-year career has been spent working across the civil and defence nuclear industry, half of it as a nuclear regulator. For the last four years he has been a Deputy Chief Nuclear Inspector working on some of ONR’s most significant programmes including Sellafield, decommissioning, defence and civil reactors.
ONR’s Chief Executive, Adriènne Kelbie said:
“I am looking forward enormously to working with Mark in this new capacity having worked very closely with him as a member of our executive management team.”
“He brings with him professional expertise spanning the nuclear lifecycle from design and commissioning through to operation and decommissioning. I have every confidence that Mark will be a huge asset for ONR, providing efficient and effective regulation, holding the nuclear industry to account on behalf of the public.”
Mark has been appointed for an initial fixed term of five years and his appointment will commence with immediate effect.
Mark Foy, Chief Nuclear Inspector, said: “I am pleased to be appointed the Chief Nuclear Inspector and I am looking forward to working closely with the ONR Board and the great team at ONR to ensure that we remain well placed to deliver on our strategic intent and meet the challenges presented by an increasingly dynamic nuclear industry.
“As CNI, I will focus on maintaining effective and efficient regulation of the industry by a competent and independent ONR, able to adapt to changing environments.”