Ms Atkinson is the chief executive officer of AWE plc, which she joined in 2005 having previously worked for Halcrow Group as an engineer and a project manager. She has held a number of senior operational roles at AWE, including executive director, infrastructure projects delivery from 2016 to 2020, and was appointed as AWE’s chief executive officer in May 2020.

Alison will be the chair of the safety, health and environment committee and a member of the nomination committee, the remuneration committee and the risk management and audit committee.

Matthew Lester, chairman, said: “We are delighted that Alison will be joining the board. The board will benefit from Alison’s depth of experience on operational matters and, as the chair of the SHE committee, Alison will oversee the group’s increasing focus on sustainability matters. I look forward to working with Alison.”

The appointment will take effect on December 15.