TWO of the most senior figures running the Atomic Weapons Establishment have quit following a rocky year at the sites that maintain the country’s nuclear deterrent.

Chief Executive Officer Robin McGill and Andrew Kershaw, director of finance and IT, have both quit after joining AWE plc in 2009 and 2008 respectively.

The announcement comes after an unsettled year for the AWE, with a fire at the Aldermaston site in August and strike action taken by employees during November.

AWE Management Ltd Chairman Ian Downie said of the two men: “It is with regret I have to announce that Robin believes this would be the appropriate time for him to hand over control.

“Andy has been key in transforming the financial control and performance of the organisation. We wish Andy all the best in his future career.”

AWE site director Dr Andrew Jupp, has been appointed as acting managing director of AWE and its sites at Aldermaston and Burghfield with immediate effect.