A NEW chief executive officer has been appointed to lead NuGen's project to build three reactors near Sellafield.

Tom Samson, a globally-renowned mega-infrastructure development specialist, has taken over from Sandy Rupprecht.

NuGen’s chairman, Shigenori Shiga said: "He has a strong track record in project development and successful project delivery in the power sector, a wealth of experience of working in a multinational environment and cross cultures, long-term vision and strong leadership. We are confident his expertise and experience will advance our exciting project.”

The company is consulting with the general public at 22 venues across Cumbria between May and July.