Formal agreement was reached for the NNL to be led by a high caliber team put together following a competitive process to appoint a new managing contractor. The team, selected from the successful Serco, Battelle and The University of Manchester (SBM) consortium, will be led by Mike Lawrence.
Key objectives for the new team include the maintaining and improving NNL’s best in class safety record, significantly growing revenues over the initial three year contract period and creating 180 new technical jobs in the North West.
To tap into the talent, knowledge and experience of NNL employees, the team will invest £1M each year in internal research and development to fund new blue sky innovation projects.
Another key driver is the commissioning of the Plutonium Laboratories (Phase 2) and High Active Cells (Phase 3) of the new Central Laboratory at Sellafield. A fully operational Central Laboratory is a flagship for nuclear research and development in the UK and the world.
Mike Lawrence joins the NNL from Battelle and brings with him tremendous experience in the Government and commercial nuclear sectors in major US and international nuclear programs and laboratories. This includes management of the Hanford site in the US and its comprehensive clean-up program. He led the transition of the site to a clean-up mission and his experience is of great relevance as the NNL continues its close support to the Sellafield site.
Laboratory management features strongly in all three of the winning organizations. Collectively, SBM manage nine Government owned Contractor operated (GoCo) national laboratories in the UK and US.
SBM possess the know-how and insights needed to ensure that the NNL is self-sustaining and maintains the critical skill base necessary to maximize the value to the UK of historic and future investment in nuclear technology.
Mike Lawrence said: “It’s an honor and privilege to be the new Managing Director of the National Nuclear Laboratory. I feel a mixture of great pride and excitement as we look forward to securing an exciting future for the NNL by taking it on to the next level.
“We will look to develop the NNL to become a valued and successful nuclear science and technology laboratory, world renowned for its exceptional staff, cutting edge facilities and excellent value for money.
“The new team will give our people the tools and ability to develop science and deliver the right technology to customers. We will maintain and grow the UK nuclear skill base and put the NNL on a firm financial footing by building on already exceptional performance.”
National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL)
The NNL was formed out of Nexia Solutions Limited in 2008. It is an international center of research and development and provides customers with tailored solutions by applying the appropriate level of technical innovation and intellectual support. Customers include the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), Sellafield Ltd, Westinghouse, Ministry of Defense, United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), VT Nuclear and British Energy plc.
On 6 April 2009, a consortium of Serco, Battelle and The University of Manchester (SBM) formally took over the management of the NNL on behalf of the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC). The NNL was originally launched in July 2008 by John Hutton, then Secretary of State for Business. The Lab brings together expert nuclear research capabilities of Nexia Solutions with world-class nuclear facilities, such as the new Central Laboratory at Sellafield.
NNL Vision
To become a valued and successful nuclear science and technology laboratory, world renowned for its exceptional staff, cutting-edge facilities and excellent value for money
Serco, Battelle and The University of Manchester (SBM)
Each SBM partner shares a passion for the NNL’s vision and has provided leaders of the very highest quality to make up the new NNL management team. They have access to each of the partner’s corporate systems and are confident their leadership will see the NNL grow and mature.
● Serco
A business services company, Serco Group plc is based in Hampshire and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. Serco is a world leader in managing both science-based organizations and the process of developing, transferring and applying knowledge. It is Europe’s principal operator of Government owned Contractor operated (GoCo) science and innovation centers.
● Battelle
The Battelle Memorial Institute is a private non-profit applied science and technology development company headquartered in Ohio, USA. It explores emerging areas of science, develops and commercializes technology. The Institute leads the management of the globally recognized Idaho, Oak Ridge and Pacific Northwest National Laboratories.
● The University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is the UK’s largest single-site university. Manchester leads on nuclear research in the UK and has established radiochemistry and materials performance research initiatives since 1999. The University is also the home of the Dalton Nuclear Institute. The Institute drives the co-ordination and growth of Manchester's nuclear expertise.
Source: The University of Manchester
