Energus Announces Board Chair Transition

Energus Announces Board Chair Transition

Energus is pleased to announce an important update to the leadership of its Board.

Jacq Longrigg will be stepping down from her role as Chair of the Energus Board, with Dale McQueen appointed as the new Chair.

Jacq has provided outstanding leadership throughout her tenure, guiding Energus through a period of continued growth, change and external challenges. Notably, Jacq led the organisation through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID‑19 pandemic, ensuring stability, supporting our people and helping Energus continue delivering vital skills and early careers programmes during one of the most disruptive periods in recent history. Her commitment to future skills, talent pipelines and sector collaboration has had a significant and lasting impact on the organisation.

We are delighted that Jacq will remain a member of the Energus Board, allowing us to continue benefitting from her expertise and strategic insight.

Welcoming Dale McQueen as Incoming Chair

We are pleased to welcome Dale McQueen, who will take up the position of Chair of the Energus Board.

Dale currently serves as Head of Non‑NDA Liabilities Strategy at the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), a senior strategic role that focuses on identifying, assessing and supporting decision‑making on the management of non‑NDA nuclear liabilities across the UK. This includes working closely with UK Government, regulators and key organisations across both the civil and defence nuclear sectors. His work involves shaping how the NDA manages third‑party owned materials and liaising across the wider nuclear enterprise to deliver value for the UK while ensuring alignment with the NDA’s mission.

Dale brings extensive leadership experience from across the nuclear industry, including strategic, technical and programme delivery roles at Sellafield Ltd and across the NDA Group. His background includes developing major strategic business cases, leading cross‑sector collaboration programmes, and contributing to national capability initiatives.

His strategic understanding of the UK nuclear landscape, combined with his passion for developing people and future talent, aligns strongly with the mission and values of Energus.

Driving Forward Together

Dale and Jacq will work closely together to ensure a smooth transition and continued stability in governance at Energus. This leadership continuity supports the organisation’s ongoing commitment to delivering high‑quality skills, training and early career programmes for the nuclear sector.

A message from Jacq Longrigg
'It’s very bittersweet to announce that I am stepping down as Chair of the Energus Board. I first took up the role in April 2020, nominated by the NDA but having worked closely with Energus for a number of years, both whilst at the NDA group and in previous roles. 

The last six years have been eventful, leading the organisation through some great times and some tough times. In December 2020, Energus General Manager Adrienne Easterbrook passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. As the beating heart of the organisation, it was extremely tough for her family, friends as well as the wider Energus community of staff, stakeholders, customers and the young talent in graduates and apprentices that she championed so passionately. The Energus team pulled together and rallied round, responding in the only way they could, courageously and professionally. 

Energus has grown from strength to strength, an intrinsic part of the West Cumbria business, events and skills landscape. We have grown our business and the services we offer on a local, regional and national level. 

I am incredibly proud of what the Energus team do and what we offer; it’s not just a building but a team of incredibly talented and committed individuals who are proud to support Cumbria, the NDA and the wider nuclear sector.

I am really pleased to hand over the role of Chair to Dale McQueen, and proud to remain a member of the Energus Board. I look forward to supporting Dale in the new role and in Energus as we move forward and develop the business.'

Upon his appointment as Chair of Energus, Dale said
‘I’m delighted to be taking on the role of Chair of Energus and want to thank Jacq for her leadership over the last six years. Energus is a part of the fabric of the nuclear industry in West Cumbria; a unique facility, hosting a vibrant community of apprentices, facilitating multiple UK-wide graduate programmes and with strong links to the local supply chain. I’m looking forward to working with the organisation, the NDA group and our key stakeholders to cement Energus’ role in the ever-evolving UK nuclear enterprise.’

Source Link: https://energus.co.uk/news/energus-announces-board-chair-transition