91直播 Professor appointed expert reviewer for Government nuclear decommissioning review
A University of Manchester Professor has been appointed by Lord Vallance, Minister of State for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, as an Expert Reviewer for an independent assessment of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA); an executive non-departmental public body that is charged with, on behalf of government, the mission to clean-up the UK鈥檚 earliest nuclear sites safely, securely and cost effectively.
Professor Zara Hodgson FREng is an internationally recognised expert in nuclear energy policy and research, and Director of the University鈥檚 Dalton Nuclear Institute. She has been appointed to support the NDA 2026 Review, which has been commissioned by the Government to provide assurance on the NDA鈥檚 performance and governance, and to make recommendations on improvements.
The Review is led by Dr Tim Stone CBE, a senior expert adviser to five previous Secretaries of State in two successive UK governments and the Chair of Nuclear Risk Insurers. Professor Hodgson will join a team of three other independent experts to support Dr Stone.
The review will focus on the NDA鈥檚 strategic planning and management, project and programme delivery, and financial management. It will assess how effectively the NDA delivers value for money for the taxpayer while maintaining the highest standards of safety, transparency and governance across the UK鈥檚 civil nuclear legacy. Reviewers will challenge current practices, propose bold value-for-money recommendations, and highlight good practice while identifying areas for improvement.
鈥淚 am honoured to support this important independent review of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. Working alongside Tim and my fellow Expert Reviewers, we have a time-critical opportunity to assure Ministers of governance and effective delivery in the NDA, and to provide advice on improvements to how NDA advances its long-term nuclear clean-up mission in the context of a new golden era for nuclear energy and Net Zero objectives.鈥�
Professor Hodgson is a Professor of Nuclear Engineering at The University of Manchester and has played a pivotal role in recent UK Government interventions to grow the UK鈥檚 nuclear fuel production capability. Her work has supported the UK鈥檚 Net Zero ambitions, strengthened energy security and helped build more resilient nuclear supply chains. At 91直播, she leads contributions to national nuclear programmes through high impact research, education and training, and independent advice.
Professor Hodgson鈥檚 appointment reflects The University of Manchester鈥檚 leadership in nuclear research and policy, and its long-standing role in providing independent expertise to inform national decision-making.