Sunday 25 May 2014

NNL and the Nuclear AMRC have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together on relevant areas of nuclear research and policy. The MOU recognises the vital and complementary roles played by the two organisations and confirms that they will work together to ensure that research and development activities across NNL and the Nuclear AMRC are mutually visible and complementary.

The two bodies will also collaborate closely in the key area of nuclear skills development, with a strong emphasis on the development of Subject Matter Experts, working alongside the National Skills Academy for Nuclear and its extension in the field of nuclear manufacturing.

It is recognised in the agreement that both NNL and the Nuclear AMRC have access to a wide range of state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, and both bodies agree that these may be made mutually available to one another, and to third parties, subject to appropriate conditions such as security clearance being met. Finally, the organisations will work together on policy matters, where it is considered relevant to do so.

Commenting at the signing, NNL Managing Director Professor Paul Howarth said: “Mike Tynan and I both recognise the enormous potential that exists for our two organisations to work closely together to progress the overall agenda of research in the nuclear sector. I’m delighted to sign this MOU, which will help to formalise that recognition into a series of specific areas where our complementary skills, experience and facilities can be brought together to work more effectively.”

Mike Tynan, Chief Executive of the Nuclear AMRC added: “The National Nuclear Laboratory is a world leader in the field of nuclear research with thousands of man-years of experience in the nuclear industry, and I am delighted that Nuclear AMRC will work in close collaboration with Paul Haworth and his NNL team. Together we will play a key role in the continued development of civil nuclear power as a safe, reliable and valued provider of energy for the good of mankind.”

Notes for Editors

• The UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) is a company owned by the UK Government.  It operates as a commercial business and currently receives no direct grant funding from Government.
• NNL has over 10,000 person-years of nuclear industry experience across the whole nuclear fuel cycle. 
• NNL provides the experts and technologies to ensure the UK nuclear industry operates safely and cost effectively today and for the future.  The company has also provided support and services to the UK and other Governments and to the European Union.
• NNL has facilities at Sellafield and Workington in Cumbria, Preston in Lancashire, Risley in Cheshire, Stonehouse in Gloucestershire and Harwell in Oxfordshire.
• The Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) works with manufacturers to improve capabilities and performance along the civil nuclear supply chain, and help them compete for work at home and worldwide.
• The Nuclear AMRC is backed by industry leaders and government, and managed by the University of Sheffield. It is part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult.
• The Nuclear AMRC is based in a research factory at the Advanced Manufacturing Park, South Yorkshire, with supporting laboratory facilities at The University of Manchester’s Dalton Nuclear Institute.

For more information, contact:

Adrian Bull

Director of External Relations

National Nuclear Laboratory

+44 (0) 7894 836553

adrian.j.bull@nnl.co.uk

Tim Chapman

Communications Manager

Nuclear AMRC

+44 (0) 7872 419671

t.chapman@namrc.co.uk