Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) – NEA Director-General meets with UK officials as the country advances nuclear energy projects

NEA Director-General William D. Magwood, IV at the Nuclear 2025 conference. Photo: UK Nuclear Industry Association

NEA Director-General William D. Magwood, IV met with senior government representatives and nuclear sector leaders during his mission to the United Kingdom on 2-4 December 2025.

The UK has made significant progress in nuclear energy development in recent years, including plans to fund and deploy three small modular reactors (SMRs) in the country. Against this backdrop, Director-General Magwood addressed more than 400 industry professionals at the UK Nuclear Industry Association’s Nuclear 2025 conference in London on 2 December.

The latest developments in the nuclear sector in the UK and globally, as well as ongoing and potential co-operation with the NEA were the focus of a meeting with Lee McDonough, Director-General for Net Zero, Nuclear and International at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

 Meeting with Lee McDonough, Director-General for Net Zero, Nuclear and International at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Further discussions took place with Michael Finnerty, Chief Executive and Chief Nuclear Inspector of the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), to take stock of the ongoing co-operation on nuclear regulation activities and to discuss other activities of mutual interest.

During a meeting with Julianne Antrobus, CEO of UK National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL), Director-General Magwood discussed the UKNNL’s involvement in the NEA work and potential activities related to artificial intelligence and training of the next generation of nuclear energy professionals.

Director-General Magwood also met with Greg Guyett, First Vice President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), to explore how the NEA can support EBRD alongside other multilateral development banks. The conversation also focused on collaboration to foster greater investment in nuclear energy, including for the Global South.

A meeting with Dr Naoki Chigusa, CEO of World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) provided an opportunity to exchange views on the ongoing and planned co-operation under the current Memorandum of Understanding.

Global advances in SMR development and the latest NEA work on the topic were at the centre of discussions with Chris Cholerton, CEO of Rolls Royce SMR.