The Board

Julianne became Chief Executive Officer of UKNNL in April 2025, bringing over 25 years of nuclear sector experience to the role. 

After beginning her career as a Graduate Radiation Protection Advisor with British Nuclear Fuels Ltd, UKNNL's predecessor organisation, Julianne went on to hold strategic leadership positions at Nuvia, Atkins and PA Consulting before returning as our CEO. 

Julianne’s expertise lies in strategic implementation and operational excellence. During her career she has led and implemented transformational growth strategies, established strategic joint ventures between UK, European and international organisations and secured long term strategic frameworks with Government and commercial entities. As Global Head of Nuclear at PA Consulting, Julianne established and grew an innovative nuclear practice, working with clients across the entire nuclear fuel cycle from new build to decommissioning. 

Passionate about diversity and inclusion, Julianne has been a driving force for women in STEM. Her contributions to the nuclear sector were recognised with an Honorary Fellowship from the Nuclear Institute in 2023 and the National STEM Ambassador Award from Forward Ladies. 

Julianne holds an MSc in Pollution and Environmental Control from the University of Manchester and a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Science from Manchester Metropolitan University. 

In her spare time Julianne enjoys being in the great outdoors with her family, from skiing and cycling to running and walking, with most big days out finishing with a refreshing glass of something cold and fizzy! 

David joined UKNNL’s board as interim Chair in January 2026, bringing over 30 years of infrastructure and financial advisory experience across government and the private sector. 

After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant, David went on to become a Partner at Deloitte, where he led their infrastructure advisory team. His expertise spans a broad range of sectors including energy, airports, ports, roads, water and telecommunications.

David's expertise lies in complex infrastructure transactions and strategic advice in challenging, high-profile environments. During his career he has advised the largest investors in infrastructure on some of the largest transactions including Gatwick airport, the Green Investment Bank and HS1 and led major restructurings including Schaeffler and Waterford Wedgwood.  

Since leaving Deloitte, David has taken on several board roles, including the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero's Audit and Risk Assurance Committee, Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor and the Royal Geographical Society. In addition to advising several businesses, he has also founded an innovative tidal turbine business, combining his infrastructure expertise with his commitment to the clean energy transition.

David holds a BA (Hons) in Economics from Durham University.

Married to Helen and with four grown up children, in his spare time David enjoys captaining his local village cricket team and hiking fells, mountains and downlands.

Val became UKNNL’s Chief Financial Officer in 2025, bringing over three decades of financial leadership experience across diverse industries to the role.

After beginning her career at Deloitte and KPMG, Val moved into industry and held senior financial positions at companies in the bakery, white goods and public transport sectors. She joined NNL in 2011 on what was intended to be a 12-month maternity cover contract as Head of Finance, but has remained with the organisation ever since, progressing through roles including Head of Corporate Finance and VP Finance.

Val's expertise lies in financial transformation and operational delivery. During her career she has developed and implemented shared service centre models, led numerous ERP and payroll system implementations, and managed the financial aspects of multiple business acquisitions and integrations. Notable milestones include managing the financial aspects of athlete transport during the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester and being part of the management team that brought the "yellow school bus" concept to the UK.

Throughout her career Val has been committed to developing finance talent, recruiting and mentoring exceptionally skilled finance professionals across all her organisations.

Val holds a law degree from the University of Sheffield and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

In her spare time Val enjoys listening to a wide range of music and attending indie rock gigs, reading, sewing and travelling in her motorhome called Bea

Sam Wheeler is Company Secretary to our UKNNL Board, having held the position as Deputy Company Secretary since 2021. Prior to joining UKNNL Sam was Company Secretary within the NHS, advising senior colleagues on governance matters throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and helping to develop the Green Plan for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.

During Sam’s career she has provided both legal and governance advice across several industry sectors, after beginning her career as a corporate lawyer for PwC Legal. Sam has a breadth of knowledge of the public sector, with expertise in rail, nuclear and health.  Since qualifying as a chartered company secretary Sam has strengthened her knowledge of corporate governance and is keen to introduce it to the sector. Sam is both an Associate of Chartered Governance Institute and a qualified solicitor.

Dr Neil Smart joined UKNNL as Non-Executive Director in 2025. He Chairs both the Environment, Health, Safety and Security Committee and the Technical Advisory Board.

With over three decades of experience in the nuclear sector, Neil brings exceptional technical expertise and a proven track record in driving innovation. His career spans leadership roles at several prominent organisations, including Head of Technical Assurance, Chief Scientist, and Head of Research and Development at Sellafield Ltd, Director of Research and Innovation at the Nuclear Innovation and Research Office, and Science Director at Radioactive Waste Management Ltd.

Throughout his career, Neil has demonstrated a commitment to advancing nuclear science and technology. As a named inventor on 15 patents in fields including radionuclide separation and radioactive waste management, and author of 30 peer-reviewed publications, he has made significant contributions to nuclear research and development. His expertise in technical assurance and programme delivery has been instrumental in shaping major nuclear initiatives across the UK.

Neil serves as the UK Representative on the European Nuclear Society Higher Scientific Council and is a visiting professor at the University of Manchester. He holds a BSc in Applied Chemistry, a PhD in Corrosion Science and an MSc in Technology Management, combining deep technical knowledge with strategic business acumen.

Iain joined UKNNL’s board in October 2019, having previously served as Chief Financial Officer of WYG plc, an international consulting, engineering and project management business. Prior to that, Iain was Finance Director for Amec Foster Wheeler’s Clean Energy business, and before that he held various finance director positions in Westinghouse Electric Company, a global nuclear technology provider, including two periods spent working in the United States.

Iain started his career with Coopers & Lybrand where he qualified as an ACA before moving into corporate finance to work on mergers and acquisitions. He moved into industry in 1996 and now has over 20 years’ financial leadership experience in international consulting and engineering businesses, with a particular specialism in the international energy sector.

In addition to his non-executive director role, Iain chairs our Audit Committee.

Since 2017 Ann has been a Council Member and Trustee of leading international affairs think tank Chatham House, where she held the interim Chair post of the NomCo.

Ann has a wealth of experience, serving on the Audit and Risk Committee for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) between 2011-2019 before becoming a non-executive director the following year. She was also Council Member for the British Institute of Energy Economics, appointed as Vice Chair and Chair between 2006-2007.

In her executive career, Ann was Executive Head of HR for the De Beers Group between 2017 and 2021, leading the people transformation of the global business through Covid-19. She served on the RemCo of Element 6, a synthetic diamond, cubic boron nitride producer (a joint venture of the DeBeers Group) and prior to this, worked for Rolls Royce as Director International from 2013-2017. 

Ann is currently on the board and ARAC of Envipco, a reverse vending machine manufacturer in the Netherlands which collects bottles and cans, repaying the deposit to the customer to encourage recycling to promote sustainability. Recently, she was elected to the Business Committee of the General Council of the University of Edinburgh, where she went to University.

Hannah was appointed to UKNNL's board in 2025, bringing over 25 years of corporate finance and governance experience across government and the private sector.

After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers, Hannah went on to hold senior positions at NM Rothschild & Sons, UBS and Deloitte before joining UK Government Investments in 2017, where she continues to serve today.

Hannah's expertise lies in complex transactions and strategic interventions in challenging, high-profile environments. During her career she has led major restructuring and governance programmes, advised Ministers and Permanent Secretaries on critical corporate interventions including Carillion, British Steel and COVID-related support schemes, and built high-performing teams that deliver significant value for taxpayers. As a Director at UK Government Investments, Hannah leads shareholder teams for Government Property Agency and Ordnance Survey, and heads the Special Situations team – a recognised centre of excellence providing specialist advice on government's most complex corporate challenges.

Passionate about diversity, inclusion and public service, Hannah has been a committed advocate for maintaining strong organisational culture and the highest standards of professional conduct. She currently serves as Shareholder Non-Executive Director for the Government Property Agency and as a member of HM Treasury's Advisory Credit Committee.

Hannah holds a BA (Hons) in Economics from Durham University and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

In her spare time Hannah enjoys running, splicing and reading.