A MOVE to incorporate the Low Level Waste Repository site near Sellafield into the NDA group has been hailed as an opportunity to drive more effective and efficient nuclear clean-up.

LLW Repository Ltd has become a subsidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority in a move which sees the West Cumbrian-based business transfer from private sector management to wholly owned subsidiary.

LLWR, which manages and operates the Low Level Waste Repository site and provides a wide range of waste management services to customers across the UK, became part of the NDA group of businesses on Monday July 12.

It also allows LLWR to play a role in wider nuclear decommissioning programmes. With the change in operating model comes a change in leader, with experienced LLWR executive Martin Walkingshaw taking the role of CEO, replacing Paul Pointon, who returns to parent body organisation, Amentum Ltd.

Martin said: “Paul will be a hard act to follow, given the high standards he has set in so many areas of our Company.

“But LLWR has never been a one-person show. Our success is built on the skill and dedication of our workforce, all of whom will remain alongside me post-July, to become part of our exciting future.

“Safe and efficient management of radioactive waste needs a team effort - Government, the NDA, LLWR, our customers and suppliers all working together with complete transparency and openness. This is our model, it is what our regulators and our local community expect and it is the way we’ll continue to do business as an NDA subsidiary.

“We’re writing the next chapter of LLWR’s story and it’s set to be an exciting time for the business; Closer links to the NDA group will enable LLWR to take a more integrated approach to waste management, making the most of our facilities and developing new solutions.

“Alongside that comes more opportunity for the LLWR workforce and our suppliers to be involved, offering new services and delivering increasingly complex projects.”