John Baxter CBE, Independent Non-Executive Director

John brings to Drax highly valuable engineering, health and safety, and energy generation experience, with over 45 years working across the nuclear, electricity, oil and gas sectors.

Contribution and experience

John has over 45 years working across the nuclear, electricity, oil and gas sectors. John was previously at BP plc, most recently as Group Head of Engineering & Process Safety, prior to which he worked at the UK utility Powergen plc as Group Engineering Director, as well as roles as a UKAEA Board member and also as a nuclear submarine engineer officer. He is a non-executive Director of Sellafield Ltd and chairs the Sellafield Board Remuneration Committee.

He is a Chartered Engineer, Fellow of both the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society of Edinburgh. John was President of both the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and The Welding Institute.

John had broad and expert level experience in engineering, health and safety, and energy generation experience. John is passionate about people development, particularly advancing the opportunities for young people in STEM careers, including via apprenticeships. His dedication to charity work and fundraising to support young people, provides a depth of understanding during Board discussions on stakeholder engagement and culture matters. Also, having been born and brought up in Scotland he brings important insights to Drax on the local environment and culture.

Appointment to the Board:

April 2019

Board Committees:

  • Member of the Nomination Committee
  • Member of the Remuneration Committee

External appointments:

  • Sellafield Ltd (Non-Executive Director)
  • Sellafield Board Remuneration Committee (Chair)