A fortnight ago, we recognised 10 of the world’s largest nuclear power companies by market cap, all of which are crucial players in the evolving global energy landscape.
This is thanks to nuclear being a zero-emission clean energy source that generates power through fission, the process of splitting uranium atoms to produce energy.
As the demand for clean energy solutions continues to grow, as does the prominence of companies that spearhead the nuclear sector.
With this in mind, we run through the 10 executives leading the world’s top nuclear power companies.
10. Jacob DeWitte
Co-Founder and CEO of Oklo
An experienced energy executive, Jacob founded Oklo in 2013 to pioneer a new type of nuclear reactor to create cheap, clean, abundant power. In reaction to the energy crisis, Jacob believes nuclear energy is the long term solution thanks to it being 50 million times more energy dense per reaction than natural gas or coal, resulting in 50 million times less waste.
Named in the Forbes 30 under 30, Jacob works on developing technologies to make the most of nuclear fleets and advancing nuclear technologies to make the energy source more competitive, available and widespread.
9. Andre Liebenberg
Executive Director and CEO of Yellow Cake
Andrew Liebenberg is an experienced mining professional with more than 25 years’ experience in the resources industry. He joined Yellow Cake in 2018, the year the company was founded and, in the years since, has led to the company as it provides investors with an opportunity to realise value from long-term exposure to the uranium spot price in a low-risk, low-cost, liquid and publicly-quoted vehicle. Prior to working for Yellow Cake, Andrew’s career saw him working in South Africa, Australia as well as the UK, operating across mining and finance.
8. David D. Cates
President and CEO of Denison Mines
In senior executive roles across Denison for more than 15 years, David joined Denison Mines in 2008. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and holds Master of Accounting (MAcc) and Honours Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees from the University of Waterloo. His extensive expertise in the Canadian and international uranium mining industry paired with his financial experience makes him a strong industry leader.
David was appointed President and CEO of Denison in 2015 following a stint as the company's VP Finance & Tax and CFO. Prior to joining Denison David worked for Kinross Gold and PwC. Alongside his work at Denison, David is a Director of the Canadian Nuclear Association and SkyHarbour Resources.
7. An Junjing
CEO of CGN Mining Company
Junjing has extensive nuclear experience, with his nuclear career beginning in 1996 at Guangdong Nuclear Power. In the decades since, he has held key positions such as Daya Bay Nuclear Power Operations’ Head of its General Training division and Deputy General Manager of Guangxi Fangchenggang Nuclear Power Co.. Junjing has a Bachelor’s in Nuclear Energy from Tsinghua University and a Master’s in Nuclear Technology Engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and has since been accredited as a Senior Engineer by CGNPC.
6. Amir Adnani
President, CEO, Director and Founder Uranium Energy
One of Fortune’s North American 40 Under 40 Ones to Watch execs, Amir has helped shape Uranium Energy into the largest diversified North American-focused uranium company. It boasts a portfolio of low-cost, environmentally friendly in-situ recovery (ISR) uranium projects across the US and high-grade conventional projects in Canada. Amir is also the Founder and Co-Chairman of mineral exploration company GoldMining and the Chairman of Uranium Royalty Corp..
5. Ian Purdy
CEO of Paladin Energy
Ian joined Paladin in 2020 and has more than three decades’ experience at Australian and international natural resources companies. A chartered accountant by training, Ian is a highly respected executive with his career seeing him work at a variety of firms, including energy company Quadrant Energy as well as KPMG Australia and major Russian mining house Norilsk Nickel.
“Paladin is on a clear pathway to becoming a globally significant, independent uranium producer,” Ian said.
4. Leigh R. Curyer
Founder, President and CEO of NexGen Energy
Leigh is steering NexGen to leverage its substantial exploration portfolio to deliver generational benefits for Canada and the global environment. With more than 20 years experience in the resources and corporate sector, Leigh previously worked as an independent advisor on investment and financing in the mining and resources industry. Leigh is also the Co-Founder and Chairman of NxGold and the Chairman of IsoEnergy, as well as a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia.
His extensive uranium project assessment experience in Canada, Australia, the USA, Africa, Central Asia and Europe covers operating mines, advanced development projects and exploration prospects.
3. Rex D. Geveden
President and CEO of BWX Technologies
Directing all business operations and leading strategic planning, capital allocation and leadership succession is BWXT’s President and CEO Rex Geveden. He joined BWXT in 2015 as COO before advancing to CEO in 2017. His career has seen him work for NASA for 17 years, including service as the agency’s COO with responsibility for a US$16bn portfolio. A physicist by training, Rex’s experience proves the value of hands-on experience, which he applies to bringing accessible nuclear power to BWXT’s clients.
2. Meirzhan Yussupov
CEO of Kazatomprom
Overseeing company operations, forming development strategies and managing international cooperation and personnel policies, Meirzhan steers the direction of Kazatomprom, which provides more than 40% of global primary uranium supply from its operations in Kazakhstan. He holds degrees from Middle East Technical University, London School of Economics and Harvard University. Meirzhan joined Kazatomprom in 2010, advancing to CFO before becoming CEO.
1. Timothy S. Gitzel
Managing Director of Cameco
CEO of Cameco since 2011, Tim joined the business four years prior as SVP and COO before being promoted to the role of President in 2010. Under his leadership, Cameco has become the highest ranking nuclear company by market cap by a considerable stretch. It is also the world’s largest publicly traded uranium company. Tim’s extensive experience in Canadian and international uranium mining is clear throughout the majority of his career which spans more than 30 years of senior management and legal experience. Before joining Cameco, Tim was EVP, Mining Business Unit for Orano with responsibility for global uranium, gold, exploration and decommissioning operations across 11 countries. He also served as President and CEO of Orano's Canadian subsidiary.
Outside of Cameco, Tim serves on the boards of the World Nuclear Association, Nuclear Energy Institute and the Business Council of Canada. As well as this, he is a member of the IAEA’s Standing Advisory Group on Nuclear Energy.
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