Nuclear weapons boss steps down

Dr Andrew Jupp leaves the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston after nearly thirty years at the institution and just four years in the role.
Starting out as a health physicist in 1985 he took on the role of managing director in 2011 after two senior figures, one a Chief Executive Officer at the facility, also stepped down after just two years at the establishment.
On stepping down he said: “It has been a privilege and honour to have been part of AWE and to have worked with so many great people on a truly important mission and programme.
“I would like to thank you all for your dedication, commitment and support over the past years. I wish each of you and the whole of AWE the best for the future.”
The AWE has been at the centre of a number of controversies in recent years, including a fire in 2010 which left one man with burns to his face and arms, and the site remains under ‘special measure’ following safety concerns made by the Office for the Nuclear Regulator.
The institution said that while a permanent successor has not been selected Rob Fletcher has been appointed Acting Managing Director while a suitable replacement is found.