EDF Appoints Mark Hartley as New Chief Executive of Hinkley Point C as Stuart Crooks Transitions After Four Decades in Nuclear Industry

EDF Appoints Mark Hartley as New Chief Executive of Hinkley Point C as Stuart Crooks Transitions After Four Decades in Nuclear Industry

(IN BRIEF) EDF has appointed Dr Mark Hartley as the new CEO of the Hinkley Point C nuclear project, effective from July 2026, succeeding Stuart Crooks who is stepping down after 40 years in the nuclear industry. Hartley, currently Managing Director of Nuclear Operations and a former Technical Director at Hinkley Point C, brings extensive experience to the role. John Munro will take over Hartley’s current position, ensuring continuity in EDF’s leadership structure. Crooks will remain involved in the sector through advisory and non-executive roles. The transition highlights EDF’s focus on maintaining strong leadership as it advances major nuclear projects in the UK.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 24-Mar-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — EDF has announced a leadership transition at its major UK nuclear development, Hinkley Point C, with Dr Mark Hartley set to take over as Chief Executive Officer from 1 July 2026. He will succeed Stuart Crooks, who is stepping down after a four-decade career in the nuclear sector.

Mark Hartley currently serves as Managing Director of EDF’s Nuclear Operations and brings extensive technical and leadership experience to the role. His appointment also marks a return to Hinkley Point C, where he previously held the position of Technical Director for five years until 2023. With a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Bath and a long-standing career in nuclear energy, Hartley is expected to guide the project through its next phase of development.

As part of the leadership reshuffle, John Munro will assume the role of Managing Director of Nuclear Operations. Munro, who is currently Director of Nuclear Operations, has built his career within the UK nuclear fleet, holding senior positions at sites including Torness and Heysham 2, where he served as Station Director, before progressing to Chief Nuclear Officer for Region 1.

L-R: Dr Mark Hartley, Stuart Crooks, John Munro

Stuart Crooks, who has been closely associated with Hinkley Point C since 2017 and became CEO in 2025, will remain active within the sector. He is set to take on non-executive roles with Sizewell C and EDF’s Nuclear Operations business, while also advising on the Cottam Small Modular Reactor project. Over his career, Crooks has played a key role in advancing nuclear development in the UK, including contributing to performance improvements at Hinkley Point C and supporting the progression of Sizewell C. His contributions have been recognised with honours including the Chevalier de L’Ordre National du Mérite and a CBE for services to the nuclear industry.

EDF CEO Simone Rossi highlighted that the transition reflects the strength and continuity of the organisation’s leadership pipeline, ensuring the delivery of both current operations and future nuclear projects across the UK. He also acknowledged Crooks’ significant contribution to the industry and welcomed his continued involvement in an advisory capacity.

Hinkley Point C, located in Somerset, is a twin-reactor nuclear power station designed to deliver low-carbon electricity to the UK for decades. EDF’s Nuclear Operations division oversees the country’s existing nuclear power stations, including Sizewell B, Heysham, Torness, and Hartlepool, while also managing decommissioning activities at other sites.

SOURCE: EDF