Michael Gorley

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT MICHAEL GORLEY

Mike holds a portfolio career, currently serving as NED at ASP Isotopes and Board of management for Quantum Leap Energy, alongside his roles as senior fellow at the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), strategic advisory consultant via Green Dragon Energy, and Visiting Professor at the University of Bristol. With extensive experience in strategic leadership and innovation, Mike specializes in driving technological advancement within high-impact sectors, particularly fusion energy and nuclear materials.With a Master’s in Physics and a PhD from Oxford University, Mike has spent over a decade at the forefront of nuclear research and technology development. As a key leader at UKAEA, he was instrumental in establishing the Materials Technology Group and bespoke research laboratories, and leading international teams in the development of fusion codes and standards. His leadership as Chief Technologist and Director of Fusion Technology contributed to positioning UKAEA as a global leader in fusion energy, where Mike managed a budget of over £20M annually and a team of 120+ researchers.As a Non-Executive Director and senior programme advisor, Mike brings valuable governance experience, offering strategic oversight, guidance on technical innovation, and sound decision-making to drive business success. He excels in advising organizations at the intersection of technology, research, and policy, providing expert counsel to corporations, research institutions, and government-backed initiatives. Leveraging his expertise to drive forward key innovation in the energy sector.RELEVANT SKILLS• Extensive experience in setting strategic and tactical direction for large multidisciplinary research teams and corporate bodies. • Excellent oral and written communications, including media, public and technical presentations • Strong Government, industrial, venture capital and academic links and keen influencing and networking capabilities• C-suite, Board of directors and executive experiences with corporate governance, budgets, senior stakeholder management, etc.• International recognised leader in fusion, specializing in materials, design codes, and technologies • Extensive experiences working across international R&D environment• Strong understanding of, and delivery of projects relating to, the technological challenges of complex engineering and physics systems • Practiced in developing and winning research contracts• Over 60 academic publications, including many first author publications & hl=en)