EDF has appointed engineering heavyweight Mark Hartley as chief executive of Hinkley Point C, marking a significant leadership change as the £48bn project enters a critical phase of delivery.
Hartley will take over the role from 1 July, replacing long-serving boss Stuart Crooks, who is stepping down after a 40-year career in the nuclear sector.
A mechanical engineering specialist, Hartley returns to the flagship project having previously spent five years as technical director at Hinkley Point C. He left the scheme in 2023 to head up EDF’s Nuclear Operations division, which is responsible for running the UK’s existing fleet of nuclear reactors.
His reappointment places an experienced insider with detailed knowledge of the project back in charge, as EDF continues to push forward with the delivery of the twin-reactor power station in Somerset.
The leadership change comes at a challenging time for the project. Last month, EDF confirmed that ongoing mechanical and electrical installation issues have delayed the start of power generation by a further year. The overall cost of the scheme has also risen by £1.4bn, taking the total to £48bn at current prices.
The company attributed the latest setback to lower-than-expected productivity levels across the extensive electromechanical installation programme, which remains one of the most complex aspects of the build.
Despite stepping down from the Hinkley Point C role, Crooks is set to remain closely involved in the UK nuclear sector. He will take on non-executive positions with Sizewell C and EDF’s Nuclear Operations arm, as well as an advisory role on the proposed Cottam small modular reactor project.
EDF said the leadership transition had been carefully planned to ensure continuity as the project moves into its next phase, with lessons learned from Hinkley Point C expected to inform future nuclear developments across Britain, including Sizewell C.
