Sunday 25 May 2014

The new management team at the National Nuclear Laboratory aims to place the lab at the centre of the research and development agenda that underpins the renaissance in the nuclear sector, significantly growing revenues and creating 180 new technical jobs in the North West.

Formal agreement was reached on 6th April for the NNL to be led by a new team put together following a competitive process to appoint a new managing contractor. The team, selected from the successful Serco, Battelle and The University of Manchester (SBM) consortium, will be led by Mike Lawrence.

Key objectives for the new team include maintaining and improving NNL’s best in class safety record, significantly growing revenues over the initial three year contract period, and creating 180 new technical jobs in the North West. 

To tap into the talent, knowledge and experience of NNL employees, the team will invest £1M each year in internal research and development to fund new capabilities and innovation projects.

Another key driver is the commissioning of the Plutonium Laboratories (Phase 2) and High Active Cells (Phase 3) of the new Central Laboratory at Sellafield. A fully operational Central Laboratory is a flagship for nuclear research and development in the UK and the world.

Mike Lawrence joins the NNL from Battelle and brings with him tremendous experience in the Government and commercial nuclear sectors in major US and international nuclear programmes and laboratories. This includes management of the Hanford site in the US and its comprehensive clean-up programme. He led the transition of the site to a clean-up mission and his experience is of great relevance as the NNL continues its close support to the Sellafield site.

Laboratory management features strongly in all three of the winning organisations.  Collectively, SBM manages nine Government owned Contractor operated (GoCo) national laboratories in the UK and US.

SBM possesses the know-how and insights needed to ensure that the NNL is self-sustaining and maintains the critical skill base necessary to maximise the value to the UK of historic and future investment in nuclear technology.

Mike Lawrence said: “It’s an honour and privilege to be the new Managing Director of the National Nuclear Laboratory. I feel a mixture of great pride and excitement as we look forward to securing an exciting future for the NNL by taking it on to the next level.

“We will look to develop the NNL to become a valued and successful nuclear science and technology laboratory, world renowned for its exceptional staff, cutting edge facilities and excellent value for money.

“The new team will give our people the tools and ability to develop science and deliver the right technology to customers. We will maintain and grow the UK nuclear skill base and put the NNL on a firm financial footing by building on already exceptional performance.”