Leading Technical Support Organisation for Nuclear Plant Operators Strengthens Team
Nuclear role supports organisation’s global nuclear aspiration to become a leading Technical Support Organisation (TSO) benefiting nuclear plant operators, builders, owners, and regulatory authorities as growth in nuclear power generation increases demand for technical assurance and safety.
Mark Bassett has been appointed Director of Nuclear Operations. Based in Manchester, UK, Mark will strengthen the links between the organisation’s nuclear programme, and its nuclear-owning and nuclear-building clients across the world who are looking for support to design and build the nuclear power generation plant of the future, as well as support the safe operation and decommissioning of existing facilities.
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“Mark’s appointment underlines our aspiration to become a leading nuclear safety Technical Support Organisation (TSO), and it demonstrates real momentum towards ensuring our clients receive the very best in technical ‘know how’ and support on the current and future development of nuclear power generation plant,” said Mamdouh El-Shanawany, Global Nuclear Technical Director at Lloyd’s Register Energy.
Bassett brings with him 34-years of nuclear experience. He is a Physics graduate of the University of Manchester, UK, and is a Chartered Engineer and also Fellow of the Nuclear Institute.
He joins Lloyd’s Register Energy from his role as HM Deputy Chief Inspector for the UK’s nuclear safety and security regulator, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR). In ONR, Bassett was, most recently, Programme Director for its Defence Programme, and its Decommissioning, Fuel, and Waste Programme where he led the delivery of all ONR’s safety regulation in these sectors, including inspection and technical safety assessment. He was responsible for all regulatory decisions, directing more than 70 highly experienced scientists and engineers.
Prior to this, Bassett was Programme Director for ONR’s Sellafield Programme responsible for regulating one of the most complex and challenging nuclear sites in the world. He has experience of safety regulation across all nuclear sectors, including being ONR’s Nuclear Topic Lead on Accident Analysis, and was one of the key authors of ONR’s Safety Assessment Principles.
Bassett is also recognised internationally as a senior nuclear expert, being the UK representative on the IAEA’s nuclear safety standards committees, a senior member of IAEA international regulator peer review missions, and acting Vice-President of one of the two key international nuclear conventions.
“Industry is growing more complex,” said Bassett. “Demand for safe and sustainable energy supply and the introduction of new nuclear reactor designs and plant technology is driving change. Owners, operators, builders and regulatory authorities require independent assurance and verification through the design development and construction phases – as well as in-service.
“Many countries with established nuclear programmes are also facing the challenges of decommissioning and radioactive waste management,” highlighted Bassett.
“I am pleased to have joined Lloyd’s Register Energy at this exciting time. I have joined a leading third-party authority which is focused on delivering technical support across the nuclear sector and working with both the established nuclear industry and also countries looking at new nuclear power generation for the first time to provide the global independent assurance for them to make informed decisions.”
El-Shanawany highlighted: “He has a great deal of nuclear-sector knowledge; he is a highly experienced senior leader and regulator with a deep knowledge and experience of the application of the UK nuclear regulatory system across all nuclear sectors including civil, defence and nuclear decommissioning. Lloyd’s Register Energy has provided technical assurance expertise on more than 1,000 nuclear projects including the industry first Calder Hall reactors, UK, in the 1950s. We are lucky to have such an experienced man to help develop our critical focus on nuclear safety and risk management.”
Nuclear power has a pivotal role to play in tackling the global challenges of climate change, energy security and energy poverty. But the success of efforts to rebuild public confidence and trust will determine its influence. A key to rebuilding that trust will be openness and transparency in communicating the plans and interpretation of proposals around nuclear power generation development now and in the future. For any country considering nuclear power generation as part of its energy mix, there is a vital role for the technical expertise and integrity of independent third-parties such as Lloyd’s Register Energy, who can verify new power generation plans.
Recent contract wins have included a long term contract with the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) in the Middle East and also in South Korea where KHNP is committed to best-practice, safety and risk management of its nuclear facilities.
The appointment of Bassett is further evidence of the commitment Lloyd’s Register Energy is taking toward becoming a leading Technical Support Organisation (TSO) for nuclear technical assurance and safety.
