At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Audit & Risk Assurance Committee and oversee financial control and governance.
- Company: Join UKNNL, the UK's leading civil national laboratory for nuclear fission.
- Benefits: Opportunity to shape governance in a high-impact organisation and grow your non-executive portfolio.
- Other info: Seeking diverse perspectives to evolve as a modern, inclusive organisation.
- Why this job: Be part of the nuclear revival and contribute to energy security and societal impact.
- Qualifications: Strong financial background and experience in risk or audit environments.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 87100 £ per year.
UKNNL is the UK's lead civil national laboratory for nuclear fission, delivering nuclear science to benefit society.
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.
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.
- 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
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
Alongside a sense of inquisitiveness, tenacity, freshness and new thinking to the Board, we're looking for candidates with the following experience:
- 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
- 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. 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.
Closing date: 15th June 2026
Locations
Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee in Cheshire, Warrington employer: United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory
UKNNL is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to the UK's nuclear revival while ensuring energy security and advancing societal benefits. With a strong focus on innovation and a commitment to inclusivity, employees are encouraged to grow their expertise in a complex and impactful environment, supported by a culture of transparency and collaboration. Joining UKNNL means being part of a pivotal organisation that not only shapes governance in a highly regulated sector but also plays a crucial role in national resilience and scientific advancement.
Contact Details:
United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory Recruitment Team
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We think this is how you could land Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee in Cheshire, Warrington
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We think you need these skills to ace Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee in Cheshire, Warrington
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✨Brush Up on Regulatory Knowledge
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