Office for Nuclear Regulation appoints new chair

Mark McAllister has been appointed the new chair of the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR)

The oil industry veteran takes over from the regulator’s existing chair Nick Baldwin in April as it prepares to assume a wider role covering the UK’s anti-nuclear proliferation safeguarding regime.

Under the withdrawal deal, which has been agreed with the EU but not yet ratified by parliament, UK nuclear safeguarding would remain the remit of Euratom until the end of the proposed transitional period in December 2020

However, the ONR would take on the regime, which is designed to prevent civil nuclear materials falling into military hands, from the end of next month in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

McAllister has worked in the international oil industry since 1979 and oversaw the joint response of the government, unions and industry to the 2010 Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

He also helped to pioneer a new marine heavy-lift technology designed to ensure the safe and efficient removal of large offshore oil and gas platforms from the North Sea.

McAllister’s appointment as ONR chair will be for five years and he will earn a salary of £52,800 based on a minimum of eight days’ work per month.

Baldwin has held the post since 2011, leading the ONR through its transition from an agency of the Health and Safety Executive to an independent regulator in 2014.

Welcoming McAllister’s appointment, ONR chief executive Adriènne Kelbie said: “I am looking forward to working with him, particularly as we focus on significant priorities this year, and define our 2020-2025 strategy.

“I am confident that his skills, experience and attitude will bring greater diversity and depth to the ONR board and be of benefit to all our stakeholders.”

McAllister said he is ‘delighted’ to be appointed chair of the ONR. “As the UK nuclear regulator, ONR has a vital role in ensuring the continued safe operation of the current nuclear portfolio and the suitability of new nuclear reactors.

“I look forward to working with the board and the executive team to ensure that the ONR continues to provide efficient and effective regulation of the nuclear industry.”