Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
Mr Clarke was presented with the award by Baroness Neville-Rolfe, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Minster, in front of 1,600 people from across the UK and global energy sector at the annual Nuclear Industry Association Dinner.
The award, which comes as Mr Clarke works towards his retirement next year, was in recognition for his services to the industry which has seen him work in pivotal roles including time as Sellafield Production Director for BNFL and Managing Director of International Nuclear Services Ltd.
In the summer of this year, Mr Clarke announced that he would be retiring after over 30 years in the international nuclear industry in a number of important operational, commercial and business leadership roles. A chartered engineer and fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers, his early career involved a range of roles in the design, development, commissioning and operation of nuclear fuel processing plants.
A member of Sellafields executive team for eight years, he spent five years as head of environmental, health, safety and quality, followed by three years as director of production where he was accountable for the majority of operational activities at Sellafield.
Mr Clarke has held the position of CEO and Accounting Officer at the NDA since April 2012, having joined the NDA Board in 2008 initially as Commercial Director and subsequently as Business Planning Director.
On receiving the award, he said:
The UK is a world leader in nuclear decommissioning and I take great pride in the small part that Ive played in the industry. Id like to thank the NIA and the Minister of State for Energy, Baroness Neville Rolfe for my lifetime award.
Progress in our mission to clean up Britains nuclear legacy is not possible without true partnership, so for me this award is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of everyone in the NDA, our sites and supply chain.