Nuclear Research Advisory Council
Updated 2 May 2025
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The Nuclear Research Advisory Council is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) that provides independent, external, evidence-based advice on the UK’s ability to design, certify, manufacture and support an effective and reliable nuclear stockpile in the context of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). This includes assessments of effectiveness, resilience and efficiency of the UK warhead programme, the technical capabilities and resources required to support warhead-related activities, strategic arrangements and planning and collaboration with industry, academia, government and international allies.
Advice is provided to MOD Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA), Defence Nuclear Organisation Managing Director Warhead Group (DNO MD WHG), Chief Defence Nuclear (CDN) and other senior MOD officials.
The council is sponsored by the MOD CSA and DNO MD WHG through the DNO budget, and is operated through the Secretariat who provides the departmental interface. Members typically work between 20 and 50 days per year, depending upon the council’s work programme and within the constraints of the budget.
These appointments attract a daily fee of £450 for members and £550 for the Chair, in addition to reasonable travel and subsistence expenses in line with MOD policy. The names of the Nuclear Research Advisory Council are not released to the public domain for security reasons.
All appointments and re-appointments have been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.
2025
April
The Minister of State for Defence Procurement and Industry has appointed a Chairperson to the Nuclear Research Advisory Council. This will be for a tenure of 5 years commencing 28 April 2025 until 31 March 2030. The names of the Nuclear Research Advisory Council are not released to the public domain for security reasons.
2024
December
The Secretary of State for Defence has reappointed two members of the Nuclear Research Advisory Council for a second term of five years from 4 October 2024 to 3 October 2029. One member has been reappointed for a second term of three years from 4 October 2024 to 3 October 2027.
2022
October
The Secretary of State for Defence has reappointed one member of the Nuclear Research Advisory Council for a second term of five years from 5 September 2022 to 4 September 2027.
September
The Secretary of State for Defence has reappointed two members of the Nuclear Research Advisory Council for a second term of five years from 14 August 2022 to 13 August 2027.
August
The Secretary of State for Defence has appointed a new member of the Nuclear Research Advisory Council for a period of three years from July 2022 until July 2025.
2021
November
Three new members have been appointed to the Nuclear Research Advisory Council for a period of 3 years from 4th October 2021 to 3rd October 2024.
April
The secretary of state for defence has extended two members of the Nuclear Research Advisory Council for a further 6 months from 21 April 2021 to 20 October 2021.
One member has been extended for a further year from 19 January 2021 to 18 January 2022.
2020
February
An appointment to Chair to the Nuclear Research Advisory Council has been made for a period of 5 ears starting on 19 February 2020 and ending 18 February 2025. The position of Chair attracts a daily fee of £465, in addition to reasonable travel and subsistence expenses. The names of the members of the Nuclear Research Advisory council are not released to the public domain for security reasons.
2019
August
Three new members were appointed to the Nuclear Research Advisory Council for a period of 3 years from 15 August 2019 to 14 August 2022.
January
The Chair of the Nuclear Research Advisory Council has been re-appointed from 15 January 2019 for a further year. The position of Chair attracts a daily fee of £465, in addition to reasonable travel and subsistence expenses.
2018
January
The Chair of the Nuclear Research Advisory Council has been re-appointed from 16 January 2018 for a further year. The position of Chair attracts a daily fee of £465, in addition to reasonable travel and subsistence expenses.
2 individuals have been re-appointed as members from 19 January 2018 for 3 years.
2017
March
3 individuals have been re-appointed from 22 April 2017 for 3 years until 21 April 2020. The names of the Nuclear Research Advisory Council are not released to the public domain for security reasons.
2015
January
3 new members have been appointed by the Secretary of State for Defence to the Nuclear Research Advisory Council. All candidates take up post for an initial term of 3 years ending in January 2018.
2014
April
3 new members have been appointed by the Secretary of State for Defence to the Nuclear Research Advisory Council. All candidates take up post for an initial term of 3 years ending in April 2017.