Mark McAllister, the Chair of the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), has been formally appointed as the new Chair of Ofgem.
Mark has now received ministerial endorsement for the post and is preparing to leave ONR after four-and-a-half years in his current role. He will step down as ONR Chair on 31 December 2023.
Last month, he appeared before the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee for a pre-appointment hearing where he answered questions from MPs about his suitability for the role at Ofgem - the government regulator for the electricity and downstream natural gas markets.
A Select Committee report subsequently approved his appointment subject to final ministerial agreement, which has now been obtained.
Mark said: "I will leave behind at ONR a fantastic organisation, full of highly professional and dedicated people who are intent on keeping society safe and secure from nuclear operations in the UK.
“ONR is a highly effective, independent and agile regulator, well equipped to deal with the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead within Great Britain's nuclear industry.”
The ONR Chair post is a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) ministerial appointment, working closely with ONR and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).
Interim arrangements will be announced before Mark’s departure, followed by an open competition to fill the role on a permanent basis.
Mark Foy, ONR's Chief Executive and Chief Nuclear Inspector, said: "Since joining us in 2019, Mark has always played a leading role within ONR and had very proactive involvement in our Board level interactions with industry dutyholders.
"He quickly established himself as a trusted and influential figure with fellow regulators, government, and industry.
"We wish him well in his new role and thank him for his significant contribution to ONR."