Dalton appoints new Chair in Nuclear Decommissioning Engineering

The Dalton Nuclear Institute at The University of Manchester has announced the appointment of Professor Bernard Kelly FREng to the Chair in Nuclear Decommissioning Engineering.

Professor Kelly, who took up the post from 1 May 2007, will establish and then lead a new Research Centre for Nuclear Decommissioning Engineering within the University's School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering (MACE).
 
He previously held the post of Head of Overall Effluent Strategy with British Nuclear Group Sellafield Ltd.
 
Professor Kelly's arrival in Manchester follows the appointment in 2006 of Professor Simon Pimblott, formerly of Notre Dame University in the United States, to the Chair of Radiation Sciences within The School of Chemistry.
 
A new research and education facility will be constructed at the Westlakes Science Park near Whitehaven in Cumbria, to house research facilities for Radiation Sciences and Nuclear Decommissioning Engineering. These two new centres will work closely together.
 
The appointment of Professor Kelly reinforces The University of Manchester's commitment to rebuilding national expertise in the nuclear energy sector, and follows the official announcement earlier this year of an initial joint investment of £20m by the Nuclear Decommissioning Agency (NDA) and The University in these world class facilities
 
Professor Graham Thompson, Head of the School of MACE, said: "In welcoming Bernard to The University of Manchester, I am looking forward to working with him to help set up this exciting new centre.
 
At Manchester we have always undertaken 'real world' research to the highest academic standards and, given the scale of the national nuclear decommissioning programme, we anticipate we will be able to assist the NDA and their contractors in achieving their mission of safe, secure and cost effective clean-up whilst protecting the environment."
 
Professor Richard Clegg, Director of the Dalton Nuclear Institute, said: "Bernard joins the Institute after a distinguished career in international nuclear and non-nuclear engineering. We are very pleased to welcome him to the Institute.
 
"The Dalton Nuclear Institute was formed proactively to address the skills gap looming in the UK nuclear capability after 20 years of under investment. By pulling together the University's nuclear related academic research and education activities and investing in world class new facilities, the Institute is becoming a major international player, covering the full requirements of tomorrow's nuclear industry."
 
Professor Kelly said: "I am delighted to take on this demanding and imaginative opportunity. In particular, having worked for BNFL for 26 years, I am pleased at the magnitude of the investment in West Cumbria local to the Sellafield site.
 
"Helping to develop the young engineers demanded by the nuclear clean-up programme will be a highlight of my career. Although about 65 per cent of the national clean-up programme will be located at Sellafield, the new centre intends to assist all NDA sites in the UK. At the same time I hope to take advantage of the Institute's strategic international links with countries such as the USA, Canada, South Africa, China and India."

Notes for editors
 
A photograph of Professor Kelly is available on request.
 
For more information please contact Alex Waddington, Media Relations Officer, The University of Manchester, Tel 0161 306 3983.
 
The School of Chemistry and The School of MACE are part of the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences. For more information please see http://www.manchester.ac.uk/eps
 
The Dalton Nuclear Institute: http://www.dalton.manchester.ac.uk/