WANO appoints José Gago as its new Chair, effective on 1 March 2025
José holds an MSc in Energy and Nuclear Technologies Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Spain, and spent there his initial post graduate years as an Associate Professor and Researcher.
WANO Governing Board has appointed José Gago, formerly the General Manager and CEO of the Asociacion Nuclear Asco-Vandellos (ANAV), Spain, as the new WANO Chair. He will formally succeed the current Chair, Tom Mitchell, on 1 March 2025, after Tom has successfully completed his full six-year term in the role.
José has been ANAV’s Governor at the WANO Paris Centre’s Governing Board since 2012 and was elected as its Chairperson in 2020. He has been the President of the Spanish Nuclear Society, member of the Foro Nuclear Board of Directors and has kept close contact with the nuclear industry serving at several advisory boards and participating in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expert missions. He has extensive technical and managerial experience in the whole nuclear fuel cycle – from fuel procurement and design, nuclear power plant design, licensing and operations, spent fuel interim storage, reprocessing and disposal, to radioactive waste management and plant decommissioning.
“I am delighted and honoured to be appointed as the next WANO Chair. Continuing the strong basis of delivering WANO’s mission and vision, I look forward to working closely with the Governing Board, WANO leadership, and all the members to support them to improve plant performance in their journey to nuclear excellence,” stated José.
“We are delighted to have José taking up this key role, his vast industry experience will be indispensable in leading WANO and our members to pursue excellence in operational nuclear safety, as well as further strengthening our collaboration with industry partners and new entrant countries,” WANO CEO, Naoki Chigusa, commented. “Taking the opportunity, I would like to express my gratitude to Tom for his guidance and contribution to the organisation as the WANO Chair in the past years.”
Tom Mitchell, WANO Chair, expressed, “It is my honour to lead WANO as Chair in the past six years. Since joining WANO, despite facing challenges, we launched the key industry initiative Action for Excellence and implemented long-term plans to support members in achieving and sustaining the highest level of performance. José is an accomplished industry leader and am pleased to have him as the next Chair, to continue driving WANO’s mission and vision to maximise the safety and reliability of nuclear power plants worldwide. Wishing José great success!”
