Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk AssurancemitteeRemuneration: £33,000 per annumTimemitment: 30 days per annum UKNNL is the UK’s lead civil national laboratory for nuclear fission, delivering nuclear science to benefit society.About UKNNLThe 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 theernment'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 in 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 mostplex 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 Boardmittee 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 acrossernment, regulators and stakeholders.This role offers:
1. The chance to shapeernance in a highly regulated, high-impact organisation
2. Exposure toplex strategic issues at the intersection of science, policy and delivery
3. A platform to grow your non-executive portfolio andmittee 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:
4. Chair the Audit & Risk Assurancemittee and shape its agenda
5. Oversee internal and external audit, risk management and control frameworks
6. Challenge the executive on risk appetite, mitigation and emerging threats
7. Provide confidence toernment and stakeholders inernance and accountability
8. Contribute fully to Board discussions on strategy and performance
What We’re Looking For: Essential and Desirable CriteriaAlongside a sense of inquisitiveness, tenacity, freshness and new thinking to the Board, we’re looking for candidates with the following experience: Essential criteria
9. A strong financial background (qualified accountant)
10. Experience inplex risk, audit or control environments within large orplex organisations
11. Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrable capability to manageplex stakeholder relationships
12. Prior experience as a member of (or of having worked very closely) with an audit and riskmittee
Desirable criteria
13. Understanding of Cyber risk
14. Experience as a non-executive director within a public sector body
15. Familiarity withernment funding/ accounting.
16. Previous experience of 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 byplexernance challenges, and ready to contribute at Board level, we encourage you to apply.To applyThis post is regulated by themissioner for Public Appointments – the independent regulator of Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to themissioner’s website:
To apply,plete the two steps outlined in the candidate pack (available in the application portal or on our microsite:
)Please note: your application will not be considered without youpleting 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 M 07887 777 735
Wendi Wang T 020 7259 774 307Campaign datesClosing date: 15th June 2026First round of interviews: W/C 22nd June 2026UKNNL/DESNZ/UKGI interviews: W/C 29th June 2026The above dates are subject to change. #4791708 - Laurence Wolahan