Horizon Nuclear Power hires David Stearns as Business Development Director

David joins from Portland Advisers where he was Senior Advisor for Energy and Nuclear Power. He has over 20 years’ experience of project financing power developments, including nuclear new build. He held senior power and project finance roles at Citigroup and Credit Agricole before being appointed to lead HSBC’s European power project finance team and the London-based Nuclear Working Group.

As Business Development Director, David will lead the development of Horizon’s business strategy and co-ordinate delivery of the plans to ensure successful progression of theWylfa Newydd and Oldbury projects. His team’s primary mission is to complete the development and achieve financial close of Wylfa Newydd.

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, Alan Raymant, David will be responsible for negotiating key commercial agreements, including Contracts for Difference, Funded Decommissioning Programmes and the financing arrangements, including HM Treasury-backed infrastructure UK Guarantees.

David said:

“This is a great move for me and a new challenge - having worked on nuclear and energy projects for many years now it’s fantastic to be joining a company at the forefront of delivering new nuclear in the UK. The team at Horizon is strong and I’m excited about leading them in the successful delivery of Horizon’s strategy and the UK’s new nuclear programme.”

Alan Raymant, Chief Operating Officer at Horizon, said:

“We’re delighted that David is joining Horizon at this key time in our development. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that further strengthens our team and allows us to accelerate the implementation of our strategy and our flagship project at Wylfa Newydd. He has an excellent track record in energy finance and brings an additional set of mission-critical strengths to an already formidable leadership team here at Horizon.”