David Gann appointed as Chair of the UK Atomic Energy Authority

UKAEA's JET nuclear fusion tokamak: the world's largest nuclear power experiment

Professor David Gann CBE, Imperial’s Vice President (Innovation), will become Chair of the UK Atomic Energy Authority from 1 August.

UKAEA is the UK government’s research organisation responsible for developing nuclear fusion power and related technology. The body works to utilise nuclear fusion for a carbon-free energy future.

UKAEA manages the UK fusion programme at the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy (CCFE), a global hub for scientific talent. In recent years the UKAEA’s fusion research has created emerging spin-out industries in areas such as robotics, material sciences, and reactor design, reinforcing the position of the UK as a world-leader in fusion research and development.

As Chair of UKAEA, Professor Gann will be responsible for leading the Board’s strategy and ensuring that its objectives are achieved. He succeeds Professor Roger Cashmore.

Global leader in fusion technology

Sam Gyimah MP, Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation, announced the appointment.

Mr Gyimah said: “The UK is a world-leader in nuclear technology and innovation and I am delighted that Professor David Gann will be the new Chair of the UKAEA Board. His extensive experience in growing businesses and academic institutions will be crucial to the continued success of our nuclear industry. 

“I want to thank Professor Roger Cashmore for his outstanding service to UKAEA. His commitment and dedication to the mission since 2010 has been invaluable in our cutting-edge work towards commercial success in nuclear fusion.”

Professor David Gann CBE said: "I look forward to working with the extraordinarily talented team at UKAEA, and with the wider science and technology community, with the UK positioned as a global leader in fusion technology, providing a future source of sustainable energy.

"Coming from a highly collaborative academic institution, I am excited by the prospect of UKAEA enhancing its global ties with industry and academia. These are exciting times, with the UK's expertise in atomic energy leading to innovation in a range of technologies in robotics and new materials, which also have a wider set of industrial uses."