Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee

UKNNL is the UK’s lead civil national laboratory for nuclear fission, delivering nuclear science to benefit society

About UKNNL

The UK’s ‘nuclear revival’ is moving at pace and is critical in the national mission to secure energy security, net-zero goals, and national resilience.

UKNNL are the government's lead civil laboratory for nuclear fission, providing the science, technology and world-leading laboratories to support the country’s civil nuclear programmes, to support growth of the UK nuclear sector and ensure they are delivered safely and cost-effectively. They are pivotal in innovation on advanced nuclear fuels, waste reduction, recycling and SMRs. Their societal impact goes well beyond energy and includes medical isotopes for healthcare, national security capabilities and industrial and scientific advancement.

UK National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL) plays a unique role in supporting the UK’s nuclear capability—advancing science, strengthening energy resilience, and delivering critical infrastructure for the future.

The Secretary of State for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is seeking to appoint a new Non-Executive Director for the UKNNL board

Why this role?

This is a very exciting time to join the UKNNL Board as a NED and provide strategic leadership and risk oversight in one of the most complex and tightly regulated sectors.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a senior finance or risk leader ready to step into a significant non-executive role, or to take on their first Board committee chair position.

At a time of rapid change and growth, you will help ensure UKNNL maintains a robust, transparent and forward-looking control environment, supporting confidence across government, regulators and stakeholders.

This role offers:

• The chance to shape governance in a highly regulated, high-impact organisation


• Exposure to complex strategic issues at the intersection of science, policy and delivery


• A platform to grow your non-executive portfolio and committee leadership experience

Accountabilities:

As ARAC Chair, you will lead oversight of audit, risk, financial control and assurance - central to the Board’s fiduciary responsibilities.

You will:

• Chair the Audit & Risk Assurance Committee and shape its agenda


• Oversee internal and external audit, risk management and control frameworks


• Challenge the executive on risk appetite, mitigation and emerging threats


• Provide confidence to government and stakeholders on governance and accountability


• Contribute fully to Board discussions on strategy and performance

What We’re Looking For: Essential and Desirable Criteria

Alongside a sense of inquisitiveness, tenacity, freshness and new thinking to the Board, we’re looking for candidates with the following experience:

Essential criteria

• A strong financial background (qualified accountant)


• Experience in complex risk, audit or control environments within large or complex organisations


• Excellent inter-personal skills and demonstrable capability to manage complex stakeholder relationships


• Prior experience as a member of (or of having worked very closely) with an audit and risk committee

Desirable criteria

• Understanding of Cyber risk


• Experience as a non-executive director within a public sector body


• Familiarity with government funding/ accounting.


• Previous experience in supporting organisations through the change management process.

You may already have some non-executive experience or be looking for a first significant Board role where your expertise can translate into wider impact.

Join us!

We are particularly interested in candidates who bring new and diverse perspectives - helping UKNNL continue to evolve as a modern, inclusive and purpose-driven organisation.

If you are motivated by public value, excited by complex governance challenges, and ready to contribute at Board level - we encourage you to apply.

To apply

This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments – the independent regulator of Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the Commissioner’s website .

To apply complete the following two steps by clicking the link in each of the following:

• Register your details on the Public Appointments Website: https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/roles/9341


• From October 2025, all applicants for Public Appointments are required to create an account on the Public Appointments Website and use this portal to submit their equality and outside interest declarations as part of the application process.


• You are required to complete the equality and political declaration sections for this application.


• Submit your application via the Hays application portal: https://s/vyNJCnxRPH7NKmZvSZsRUJpggX?domain=applybe.com

You will need to provide:

• Supporting Statement - Which should address your motivation in applying and the essential criteria in the Person Specification and demonstrate evidence of your suitability for the role against these criteria. Maximum length: 2 sides of A4.


• Curriculum Vitae - Maximum length: 4 sides of A4.

Please note: your application will not be considered without you completing both the Hays and Public Appointments elements including the equality and political declaration sections.

To confidentially discuss the role in further detail or request a copy of the Candidate Brief, please contact Andrew Timlin or Wendi Wang at Hays Executive.

Andrew Timlin Wendi Wang

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Campaign dates

Closing date:

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