The interim Chair of the new Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) was today confirmed as Nick Baldwin, former chief executive of Powergen.

ONR has been established today as an agency of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), pending planned legislation to establish it as a statutory body. The ONR will bring together the relevant nuclear regulatory functions of HSE (through its Nuclear Directorate) and the Department for Transport.

The organisation will ensure that those authorised to carry out nuclear activities, in both the civil and defence sectors, do so in a safe way – from power stations and radioactive waste to transport of materials and submarines. ONR staff will also regulate the security of civilian nuclear installations.

Announcing the appointment of Nick Baldwin as ONR interim Chair, the HSE Chair Judith Hackitt said:

“Nick Baldwin has extensive board level experience in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors with substantial experience in governance, leadership, general management and strategic development. He has the skills and experience to lead ONR as it is established in its new form at this critical time. The safety of nuclear power is more in people’s thoughts now than it has been at any time for the last 25 years – ONR has an important job to do in ensuring that operators in the UK uphold the highest standards of safety.” 

Nick Baldwin said:

“I’m very pleased to join the Office for Nuclear Regulation as it starts its journey to become a new independent regulator. I look forward to working with Mike Weightman, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Nuclear Installations, to create an organisation that delivers our mission of protecting people and society from the hazards of the nuclear industry.”

Mike Weightman said:

“The Office for Nuclear Regulation inherits an international reputation for excellence and a robust regulatory framework forged over more than 50 years, providing firm foundations from which to rise to the current and future challenges of the nuclear industry. Nick Baldwin and I will work together to build on that legacy. We aim to be world-leading, forward-thinking, and more open and transparent.”

Employment Minister Chris Grayling announced on 8 February that ONR would initially be formed as an agency of HSE, pending planned legislation to establish the ONR as a statutory body.