Somerset’s Hinkley Point C nuclear plant announces new chief executive

The power station’s current CEO is stepping down after 40 years

French energy giant EDF has named the new boss of its Somerset nuclear power plant, Hinkley Point C. Mark Hartley’s appointment comes as current chief executive Stuart Crooks steps down from the role after 40 years.

Mr Hartley is currently managing director of EDF’s nuclear operations, which runs Britain’s operational nuclear power stations at Sizewell B, Heysham, Torness and Hartlepool.

He is returning to the Bridgwater plant where he was technical director for five years until 2023. His position in nuclear operations will be taken up by John Munro – a director in that division of the business.

Meanwhile, it is understood Mr Crook, who was awarded a CBE for services to nuclear in 2019 and also has a French order of merit for his work within the industry, will continue to be “closely connected” to the nuclear sector.

He will continue as a non-executive board member for Sizewell C and within EDF’s nuclear operations business, and in his role as an advisor to the Cottam Small Modular Reactor (SMRs) project in Nottinghamshire.

EDF chief executive Simone Rossi said: “This carefully planned transition demonstrates the depth, resilience and maturity of our nuclear organisation and our ability to develop world class nuclear leadership.

“It will enable us to deliver our ambitious nuclear plans in Britain at our existing power stations and in nuclear new build.

“I want to thank Stuart for his outstanding service to the UK industry. He has driven the replication strategy that has seen significant performance improvements in the second unit at Hinkley Point C and enabled the start of Sizewell C, which will benefit from everything learned at Hinkley Point C.

“His contribution to the nuclear renaissance is profound and I am pleased that he will continue to offer his expertise in a non-executive capacity.”

Hinkley Point C is Britain’s newest nuclear power station and is due to be open by 2031. It is set to provide six million UK homes with zero-carbon electricity when completed but has been plagued by cost overruns and delays since it received government approval a decade ago.

Originally the project was expected to be finished by 2025 at a cost of around £18bn, but current estimates suggest the total price tag could reach nearly £46bn. The workforce at the Bridgwater project is likely to reach its peak this year, with an estimated 15,000 individuals working on the construction between 2026 and 2028.

In January, the second nuclear reactor arrived at the power plant in a milestone hailed by EDF as a “major moment”. The first reactor arrived at Hinkley three years ago and is already installed and welded in place on the first reactor building.