Professor Francis Livens
Biography
Professor Livens is Professor of Radiochemistry at the University of Manchester. He was Chair of the Nuclear Innovation & Research Advisory Board from 2020 to 2024, advising Government on Advanced Nuclear Technologies, and is a member of the Office of Nuclear Regulation Independent Advisory Panel. He has also performed numerous other advisory roles in the UK and internationally, as a recognised expert in radiochemistry in particular plutonium and nuclear materials. He led the Dalton Nuclear Institute from 2016 to 2023 where he was responsible for coordination of nuclear research and education across The University of Manchester. He is particularly focused on the linkages between Science & Engineering and Humanities, addressing the societal, cultural and organisational aspects of implementing nuclear technologies in modern societies. He was previously the Research Area Lead for Nuclear Materials at the Henry Royce Institute.
Professor Livens is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, and of the Nuclear Institute, a Senior Visiting Fellow of the UK National Nuclear Laboratory and Member of the International Institute of Strategic Studies.
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority Board
Appointed Non-Executive Director: 1 December 2020
Reappointed: 1 December 2023 (term starts)
Term ends: 30 November 2026
Non-executive Director
Non-Executive Directors are members of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s Board.
The Board:
- monitors the NDA’s performance and directs its business effectively, including playing an active role in stakeholder relations
- receives frequent updates on the NDA’s financial position, forecasts and sensitivities
- ensures that a balanced assessment of performance is reported to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and regularly debates the main (corporate strategic) risks facing the NDA
Previous roles in government
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Deputy Chair, CoRWM