EDF has named Mark Hartley as the next chief executive officer of the Hinkley Point C nuclear project from 1 July. 

His appointment comes as current CEO Stuart Crooks steps down from the role after 40 years of service in the nuclear industry.

Hartley, who is currently managing director of EDF’s nuclear operations, is returning to Hinkley Point C where he was technical director for five years until 2023. He holds a PhD in mechanical engineering from Bath University and has deep expertise in the nuclear industry.

His position in nuclear operations will be taken by John Munro, currently director of nuclear operations, having previously held senior leadership roles at Torness and Heysham 2, where he was station director, before becoming chief nuclear officer for region 1.

Crooks will continue to be closely connected to the nuclear industry as a non-executive board member for Sizewell C and EDF’s nuclear operations business and as an advisor to the Cottam Small Modular Reactor (SMRs) project in Nottinghamshire. He has worked in the nuclear industry for 40 years. In 2018 he was awarded the Chevalier de L’Ordre National du Mérite and in 2019 he was awarded a CBE for services to nuclear. 

EDF CEO 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 a twin reactor nuclear power station in Somerset that will provide reliable, low carbon electricity for Britain for decades to come. EDF’s Nuclear Operations runs Britain’s operational nuclear power stations at Sizewell B, Heysham, Torness and Hartlepool and is responsible for defueling Hinkley Point B, Hunterston and Dungeness.