The new National Skills Academy for Nuclear has appointed Jean Llewellyn as its chief executive.

Llewellyn, in her role as head of Skills Policy for the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), has been involved in the nuclear skills agenda for the past four years.

She was chair of the National Nuclear Employers Steering Group for two years, a period which saw a successful bid to create the Nuclear Academy training facility in West Cumbria, due for completion in early 2008.

Joanna Woolf, CEO of Cogent Sector Skills Council, the parent organisation of the National Skills Academy for Nuclear, said: "As project director, Jean has led the committed team which has made the Nuclear Academy vision a reality and we wish her every success in her new post and in supporting the industry to ensure it continues to get the high level skills it needs to succeed."

Llewellyn said she as delighted by her new role.

"A successful academy is essential in ensuring the future success and sustainability of the nuclear sector in the UK,” she added.