Executive Team

Paul has extensive experience in the nuclear industry covering operations, commercial and research portfolios in the UK and also overseas. He has worked with a broad range of stakeholders across Government, industry and academia.  More recently he has also worked in the research, technology and innovation sector beyond nuclear and chaired AIRTO (Association of Innovation Research & Technology Organisations) as well held a Non-Exec Board position of the National Physical Laboratory.

Paul began his career working on the European Fusion Programme where he completed his PhD in Nuclear Physics after a first degree in Physics and Astrophysics at the University of Birmingham. He subsequently worked in Japan on their advanced nuclear fuel cycle programme and subsequently with BNFL at numerous locations in the UK in roles covering technology commercialisation, plant support and advanced reactor development; this culminated in supporting policy development for the UK Government on the case for new nuclear build in 2007.

Paul also co-founded the Dalton Nuclear Institute and worked for the US organisation Battelle alongside US National Laboratories on M&O contract development. In 2009 he was part of the M&O team that was awarded the contract to run NNL; and he subsequently became CEO of NNL in 2011 where he has led the organisation through the transition to become a Government Owned public corporation. He is a fellow of the Institute of Physics, the Nuclear Institute and was elected to the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2014. He also holds an MBA and is an alumnus of Harvard Business School. In 2024 he was awarded a CBE in the King’s Birthday honours for services and contribution to the energy, nuclear and R&D sectors.

Dr Gareth Headdock is Chief Science and Technology Officer at the National Nuclear Laboratory. Prior to this, he was VP for Government and New Build - in this role, Gareth worked with government to identify how NNL can support the delivery of national-important programmes of nuclear research such as the recent Advanced Fuel Cycle Programme – a £56m BEIS-funded programme led by NNL in collaboration with over 100 other organisations.

Gareth joined NNL in 2018 as Science and Technology Director – a position which he held until taking up his current role in 2021. Prior to joining NNL, he worked for 12 years at Johnson Matthey, latterly in the role of Research and Development Director, where he managed research groups in the UK, Europe and the US. Gareth is also a Partner Director at the Henry Royce Institute.

Responsible for delivering safe, sustainable and cost-effective operations across all NNL sites, Oli became NNL’s Chief Operations Officer in 2024.

A key member of the Executive Team, he applies a decade of experience in delivering nuclear operations to ensure performance excellence and efficiency throughout all of NNL’s work.

Well-versed in the requirements of nuclear license conditions and regulations, and having led work to build, test and commission nuclear submarines, he has a strong track record of delivery. As an Executive Partner at IBM, Oli gained extensive experience in balancing the complex needs of customers while leading and motivating a team of highly talented technical specialists to consistently exceed customer expectations. And during his time at Alexander Dennis, and BMW MINI, Oli gained a reputation for delivering innovation in engineering, exceeding delivery targets, driving improvements and generating significant business value.

He also has prodigious enthusiasm for growing niche and specialist skills for the sector, demonstrated through the creation of a specialist skills academy at BAE and being a champion for building long lasting business relationships.

In his spare time, Oli enjoys open water swimming.

Des joined NNL in 1995 as a technical specialist and during this period has undertaken a wide range of senior leadership roles including Laboratory Manager, Business Leader and Head of Capability before taking on his current position as Vice President Nuclear Authority within the Executive Leadership Team.

With over 25 years’ experience in the nuclear industry, and having also been part of the BNFL journey, Des’s experience ranges from direct contribution as a technical specialist to nuclear facility management, technical capability leadership and strategy development.

Des is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry with a PhD in chemistry from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne

Des is responsible for ensuring NNL maintains priority and focus on Nuclear Safety and Security, providing Independent Assurance to the Executive and the Board.

Matt joined NNL in June 2018 and was appointed Chief Financial Officer in April 2019. He joined us from BAE Systems where he had spent the previous 16 years in a wide variety of roles, leaving his position as Finance Director for the Dreadnought Submarine Programme to join NNL.

Matt worked across multiple businesses within BAE Systems where he developed a deep understanding of financial management, corporate governance and information management and technology.

Matt is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and sits as a member of the CIMA Benevolent Fund. Outside work, he is a qualified rugby league coach with Chorley Panthers.

Clare Barlow is our Chief People Officer and a board member. Clare is passionate about driving the people agenda across NNL with an inclusive and sustainable approach.

Clare joined NNL in 2018 from BAE Systems, where she spent the previous ten years as HR Director for the UK and international combat air division. Prior to BAE Systems, Clare was Head of HR at Royal Mail, British Airways, and a number of manufacturing organisations.

Clare has a wealth of experience spanning both HR and business roles, specialising in strategy development, organisational development, change management and employee relations.

In addition to her NNL role, Clare is a Trustee of Age UK Lancashire and a qualified executive and team coach

With more than 35 years’ experience in the nuclear industry, Nick’s expansive network and deep insight are especially valuable in his role as Special Advisor to the CEO.

He has previously served NNL and our executive leadership team as Chief Customer Officer, Finance Director, and Director Health & Nuclear Medicine and Space, driving forward our research at the cutting edge of nuclear science.

Nick was instrumental in setting up NNL’s waste management and decommissioning directorate, a cornerstone of our work. He also pioneered our Technical Services Agreement with Sellafield Ltd – Enhancing the work to decommission and safely clean up the Sellafield site securely, cost effectively and in ways that protect people and the environment.

With a record of innovation throughout his career, Nick served as an assessor and panel member for Innovate UK, helping businesses bring new products and processes to life.

Nick has a keen interest in geology, and his passion for dinosaurs was rewarded when one was named after him – the Dracoraptor hanigani. He holds a biochemical engineering degree and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chemical Engineers and a previous member of the board of the British Geological Survey.

As Chief Strategy Officer, Emma oversees NNL’s engagement with government, industry leaders and academia, exploring how we can work together to address society’s great challenges through nuclear science.

After joining NNL as VP Strategy, Emma led on the development of our corporate strategy and managing our relationship with government, keeping nuclear on the map through four changes of administration and a General Election.

An innovative and committed leader, Emma supported the development of NNL’s value framework, which guides how we operate and how we engage throughout the nuclear sector. This relentless focus on the standards we expect at NNL, aligned to our purpose and what our partners expect from us, has hugely enhanced our ability to engage effectively and our potential to influence policy.

With a degree and PhD in aeronautical engineering, Emma began her career at Atkins where she worked on nuclear projects, before moving on to the University of Nottingham where engagement and corporate strategy became an increasingly important part of her skillset.

Subsequent senior strategic roles at the Energy Research Accelerator and Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre mean Emma is well-placed to guide NNL’s strategic function through an ever-changing nuclear landscape.

Leveraging his knowledge and relationships across the nuclear sector, James ensures a seamless experience and mutually beneficial relationship between NNL and our customers.

As Chief Customer Officer, James is responsible for identifying, securing and delivering our world-leading nuclear research and development programmes to our customers and partners across the UK and around the world.

He joined NNL as Chief Strategy Officer in 2017, leading the Strategy, Communications & Corporate Affairs directorate, a multi-disciplinary team responsible for defining and delivering how NNL fully realises its purpose of using ‘nuclear science to benefit society’. He became CCO in October 2024.

James has worked across a number of business sectors including management consultancy, tech, defence and national security, and the media, much of it internationally and often in roles that required effective stakeholder management in complex, dynamic and politically sensitive environments.

In addition to his responsibilities as CCO, James is also the executive sponsor for NNL’s sustainability agenda, in support of which he completed a Masters degree in Sustainability Leadership at the University of Cambridge. James also sits on the Strategic Advisory Committee of the Idaho National Laboratory in the US.