Leadership change announced at Hinkley Point C nuclear project in Somerset
Mark Hartley set to step in as CEO; Stuart Crooks to retire
EDF has announced a change in leadership at the Hinkley Point C nuclear project in Somerset, with Mark Hartley set to become the new Chief Executive Officer from 1st July.
Mark Hartley is currently Managing Director of EDF’s Nuclear Operations and is returning to Hinkley Point C, where he served as Technical Director for five years until 2023.
This transition follows the retirement of Stuart Crooks, who steps down after an extensive career in the nuclear industry spanning over 40 years.
Crooks will continue to have ties to the industry, taking on roles as a non-executive board member at Sizewell C and EDF’s Nuclear Operations and serving as an advisor to the Cottam Small Modular Reactor (SMRs) project in Nottinghamshire.
Mark Hartley's previous role in Nuclear Operations will be filled by John Munro, who has served as Director of Nuclear Operations and held senior positions at Torness and Heysham 2.
Crooks has received accolades for his contributions to the industry, including the Chevalier de L’Ordre National du Mérite in 2018 and a CBE in 2019.
EDF CEO Simone Rossi praised Stuart Crooks, saying: “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 a significant nuclear power station aimed at providing low carbon electricity for decades, supported by EDF’s Nuclear Operations, which oversees several operational power stations across Britain.