Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE‑N) has appointed five non‑executive directors - David Goldstone CBE, Richard Morse, Gareth Price, Tracy Sheedy and Dr Rebecca Weston - to reinforce independent oversight as the organisation advances the UK’s small modular reactor (SMR) programme centred on Wylfa, North Wales. Announced on 16 February 2026, the appointments will support Chair Simon Bowen and the incoming Chief Executive, Simon Roddy. (gov.uk)
Bowen confirmed a transition from the interim structure to a permanent Board, thanking Mark Russell, Susan Jee and Tim Stone, who are stepping down, while noting that Gareth Price and shareholder director Hugo Robson will continue to provide continuity as new members take up their roles. (gov.uk)
The Board’s finance and major‑programme capability is strengthened by David Goldstone CBE, HM Treasury’s representative on the HS2 Board and a non‑executive at the Submarine Delivery Agency. His previous roles include leading Parliament’s Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority, serving as Chief Operating Officer at the Ministry of Defence and overseeing the government’s London 2012 investment. (gov.uk)
Energy market and investment expertise will be drawn from Richard Morse, a partner at Opus Corporate Finance and Chair of The Renewables Infrastructure Group, with earlier senior posts at Ofgem and global investment banks. Legal and transaction depth comes from Gareth Price, a former Global Managing Partner at Allen & Overy with extensive experience in energy and infrastructure deals. People, remuneration and organisational change will be led by Tracy Sheedy, a Non‑Executive Director at DE&S, Orbit Group and Tracsis. Operational nuclear leadership is bolstered by Dr Rebecca Weston, formerly Director General in the Ministry of Defence’s Defence Nuclear Organisation and Chief Operating Officer at Sellafield Ltd. (gov.uk)
GBE‑N is an arm’s‑length body of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero with responsibility for supporting development and deployment of new nuclear in the UK. Ministers state the SMR programme is backed by over £2.5 billion across the Spending Review period, while the Board will also support delivery of the Advanced Nuclear Framework, which sets out routes for privately led advanced reactor projects via a new project readiness process. (gov.uk)
The appointments come as government confirms Wylfa on Anglesey as the site for the UK’s first SMR power station, with Rolls‑Royce SMR identified as preferred design subject to final contract. Officials expect up to 3,000 jobs at peak construction and significant associated investment through the mid‑2030s. (gov.uk)
For programme delivery, the strengthened Board is expected to provide assurance across contracting, finance, risk and schedule as GBE‑N moves from site selection towards final contracts and early works. DESNZ has emphasised that the non‑executives will bring independent scrutiny and constructive challenge as GBE‑N advises ministers and manages nationally significant nuclear infrastructure. (gov.uk)
Simon Roddy, appointed Chief Executive on 8 December 2025 following senior roles at Shell, is due to assume the post on 2 March 2026. Governance documents indicate the Board will meet at least six times per year, with minutes published in line with GBE‑N’s publication scheme. (gov.uk)
For policy and industry stakeholders, the governance shift links a state‑backed SMR deployment at Wylfa with a parallel market‑enabling push for advanced nuclear. The combination of programme delivery and a defined framework for private projects signals a dual‑track route to expanding UK nuclear capacity while reinforcing energy security objectives. (gov.uk)