Major Sellafield supplier, Wood, has announced the appointment of a new chair of its Board.

Roy Franklin – who has been a non-executive director and the senior independent director of Wood since October 2017 – will take up the role at the head of the table on September 1.

He will replace Ian Marchant, who has previously indicated his intention to retire.

The appointment comes as Wood was awarded a 20-year contract by Sellafield Ltd as part of the Programme and Project Partners (PPP) framework.

The company will head up the Design and Engineering lot for PPP, which Sellafield Ltd says will help bring faster and more effective project delivery at the complex nuclear site in West Cumbria, along with more stability to both the design and construction supply chains.

Wood said the contract could be worth up to £769 million.

Wood is already a long-standing big tier company at Sellafield, and was also recently awarded one of six framework contracts to deliver the next phase of decommissioning work at the Dounreay nuclear site in Scotland.

Commenting on Mr Franklin’s appointment, current chair Mr Marchant said: “He brings a wealth of experience and will provide valuable continuity and support to Robin Watson (chief executive) in his leadership of Wood. The Board of Wood is very pleased that Roy has agreed to succeed me as its chair.”

Mr Franklin – who will be succeeded by Jeremy Wilson will Mr Franklin as senior independent director – said he was “delighted to have the opportunity” to chair the Wood board.

Mr Franklin joined Wood following its acquisition of Amec Foster Wheeler plc, where he had been a director since January 2016.

He has more than 40 years experience as an executive in the energy industry, having worked for BP, Clyde Petroleum and Paladin Resources.

He is currently chairman of Premier Oil plc and deputy chairman of Equinor ASA.