NUCLEAR SAFETY Adviser WANTED

HSC press release: C048:03 - 17 September 2003

The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) is looking to appoint a new chair for its independent Nuclear Safety Advisory Committee (NuSAC).

Colin Potter, head of nuclear safety policy at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), said "The chair and committee members provide HSC with independent and technically based advice on key policy issues affecting the safety of nuclear licensed sites, together with advice on HSC's nuclear safety research strategy and programme. One of the first jobs for the new chair will be to oversee the membership reconstitution and a forward work programme.

"The chair will need to be able to demonstrate a record of achievement in their own field, be able to work as part of a team, have experience in a senior management position, be a good communicator and be able to represent NuSAC in the public arena. He or she should have a strong scientific background and knowledge of the nuclear industry (both power generation and waste management) would be advantageous, though the person should be independent from both the nuclear industry and its regulatory bodies."

Notes to editors

1. The new chair will replace Professor John Head CBE, who will be retiring this year.

2. The appointment will be for three years initially, and is non-remunerated, although appropriate travel and subsistence will be paid during that period

3. For more details about NuSAC and its work, potential applicants can telephone Colin Potter on 020-7717-6864 to discuss, or to obtain application details.

4. The appointment is being advertised in the national press from today, including The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Times and The Times.

Press enquiries

All enquiries from journalists should be directed to the HSE Press Office