NDA appoints two new Non-Executive Board Members

17th May 2025

NDA announces Catriona Schmolke CBE FREng and Dr Neil Bruce OBE CEng as NDA Board members.

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has announced that Catriona Schmolke CBE FREng and Dr Neil Bruce OBE CEng have been appointed to the NDA Board as Non-Executive Board members.

Neil and Catriona will begin their three-and-a-half-year term on 1 June 2025.

Catriona brings 40 years of expertise in the infrastructure sector as a hydrogeologist and engineer, with significant experience in Chief Executive, Board Chair and Non-Executive roles. Her career has spanned numerous sectors and major programmes, including nuclear, energy, water, waste, and contaminated land.

She served as the Chief Safety Security and Sustainability Officer at Jacobs from 2014 to 2020. Catriona currently holds the position of Chair at Artus Air Ltd. Additionally, she serves as a Non-Executive Director and member of the Audit & Risk Committee for the National Physical Laboratory and Scottish Water Group. She is also a Non-Executive Director with NES Fircroft Ltd.

Catriona is a former Visiting Professor of Sustainability at Newcastle University and serves as a lay member and Chair of the Statutory Safety Committee at Strathclyde University.

Neil has 40 years of experience, including as a Chief Executive, Board Chair, and Non-Executive Director, in the maritime, resources, nuclear, built environment, and energy sectors. He has managed global and regional markets in over 50 countries, working with public, private, and PE-backed companies.

Neil's current roles include Non-Executive Director at McDermott International and Dar Groups; Executive Advisor and Chair with two private equity groups; Chair of a start-up waste-to-biofuels technology business and Visiting Professor at Robert Gordon University Aberdeen.

His previous roles include President and CEO of SNC Lavalin Group Inc, Group COO at AMEC plc, and various leadership and delivery positions in major projects and in industry associations.

Peter Hill CBE, the Chair of the NDA, said:

I am delighted that Catriona and Neil are joining us. Their extensive experience will be invaluable in helping us to drive forward our nationally important mission.

Catriona Schmolke CBE FREng said:

I am honoured to join the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority as a Non-Executive Director. As we navigate the complexities of decommissioning and environmental stewardship, I look forward to contributing my expertise and experience in sustainable solutions to this nationally important mission, thus safeguarding the future for generations to come.

Dr Neil Bruce OBE CEng said:

It is a privilege to join the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority at this important juncture, as the breadth of its decommissioning work is set to expand. I am committed to leveraging my experience in energy and nuclear markets to support the NDA's efforts in decommissioning the UK’s nuclear legacy, ensuring we meet the highest standards of safety and efficiency.

Catriona and Neil were appointed to the NDA Board by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) following a fair, open and transparent selection process.