Address
SalaryOverview of Responsibilities
Forward by the Chairman, Professor David Gann CBE
UKIFS is beginning a very important and exciting programme to lead the development of fusion energy. The need for safe, sustainable energy is of paramount importance and this is the ‘moon-shot project’ to lead the world in commercialising fusion power. The UKAEA’s scientific and technological capabilities inspire confidence, with significant breakthroughs, new government funding, the establishment of a UK regulator, leadership in international collaboration, and growing interest from private sector investors. The launch of UKIFS is the next step to integrate these capabilities and deepen industrial collaboration to commercialise fusion.
UKIFS is led by Paul Methven, its newly appointed CEO, supported by an excellent Executive Team. Through its partnership with UKAEA, it has access to world-leading science and technology in key areas necessary to design and construct a power plant – plasma physics, tritium handling, robotics, new materials, advanced manufacturing, data analytics, skills, training, and digital design engineering.
In 2024, UKIFS will become a stand-alone public-private partnership with the remit to deliver the world’s first fusion powerplant, to establish a fusion industry and to explore opportunities for further commercialisation. We are creating the UKIFS Board and are seeking a small number of outstanding Non-Executive Directors with the passion, knowledge, commitment, engagement, and influence to help UKIFS succeed on the global stage. We particularly welcome applicants from a diverse set of backgrounds. I trust you will find the information in this job pack of interest and look forward to receiving your application.
Our Context
Fusion energy promises significant low-carbon, safe, and abundant baseload energy, supporting climate action and energy independence. Despite technical challenges, growing confidence and anticipated commercialization by the mid-century position fusion as a viable path to sustainable net zero and enhanced global energy security. The UK, a leader in fusion research, is at the forefront of developing commercially viable fusion energy in a sector estimated at £7tn per year.
STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) is the UK’s groundbreaking initiative, aiming to deliver a prototype fusion energy plant by 2040, marking a path to commercial viability. It’s a bold, ambitious project seeking individuals with relevant delivery experience to be part of this world-changing endeavor
Currently led by the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), a national fusion lab with decades of expertise, STEP will transition leadership to UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd. (UKIFS) in the next year. This shift aims to focus on prototype delivery and the development of a fusion supply chain. UKIFS, in collaboration with industrial partners, including UKAEA, will lead the effort from the next government investment gate.
What you’ll be doing
This role is a unique opportunity to join the inaugural board of an organisation entrusted with forming and shaping the UK and global fusion sector and leaving a lasting legacy. The role of the Board is to provide strategic oversight of the Company ensuring delivery of the Company’s strategic objectives, their regulatory and common law duties, and their responsibilities under its Corporate Structure Document, which is part of the UK Government’s overall backing of the programme. As a Non-Executive Independent Director of the UKIFS board, you will leverage your extensive expertise and proven leadership in organisations dealing with complex delivery in an uncertain and challenging environment. You will understand what is needed at the earliest stages to ensure sustained success as an endeavour builds in scale and your distinguished track record will enhance our board’s reputation.
You will play a crucial role in providing oversight, guidance, and strategic direction to our company. You will work closely with the executive team and fellow board members to ensure our continued innovation, ethical operations, and long-term success. This position offers the opportunity to contribute your expertise and insights to a dynamic and innovative programme.
Specifically, we are looking for a proven and world-class leader of complex major programmes to Chair the Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee of UKIFS and help the Executive Team to develop major programme delivery capability across the company and partners. You will be experienced in understanding organisational and major programme risk and opportunity management involving both public and private sectors together, and ideally in a technically challenging field where much is uncertain.
Accountabilities:
- Provide independent oversight for legal and ethical compliance.
- Offer strategic guidance and industry-specific insights.
- Support the Executive Team in overcoming challenges.
- Advance UKIFS’s aims within policy frameworks.
- Actively engage in collaborative board discussions.
- Ensure effective risk management and internal controls.
- Oversee ethics initiatives and whistle-blower programs.
- Establish and represent the company to key stakeholders.
- Support UKIFS in developing effective program delivery capability.
Qualifications
Essential Requirements:
- Board-level experience in complex organizations, specializing in audit, risk, and assurance.
- Leadership in delivering complex major programs including proven directorship in ambitious companies or public bodies.
- Track record of leading innovative ecosystems.
- Relevant academic qualifications and certifications.
- Extensive knowledge of industry trends, regulations, and governance best practices.
- Financial literacy, adept at analyzing financial statements.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills, including media handling with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders at Board and Ministerial levels.
Additional Information
Meetings and Remuneration
You're expected to dedicate 25 days annually to the role, involving 11 full meetings from January to November, with additional part days as needed.
Board meetings alternate monthly between in-person and remote, primarily at the UKAEA site in Culham. Approximately two meetings per year will be held at the STEP Plant site in West Burton, Nottinghamshire. Remuneration is £16,667 per annum, inclusive of reasonable travel and expenses.
A full list of our benefits can be found here https://careers.ukaea.uk/life-at-ukaea/employee-benefits/
We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly individuals from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and women. Our Executive team, supported by our 'Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, actively promotes EDI and takes steps to increase diversity within our organization. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.
Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications.
For applicants applying from outside the United Kingdom or those who have spent time outside the UK in the last five years, please visit the following link for information on criminal records checks: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants If your country of residence or previous residence is not listed on the website or if the UK Government does not have information on obtaining a criminal records check from that state, we regret to inform you that we cannot process your application.
