Northcourt, the Optio Group subsidiary and underwriter of international nuclear risk, today announces that Ed Butler has joined in a non-executive advisory capacity.

Butler, who is currently chief resilience officer at Pool Re, joins Northcourt as senior adviser to help raise Northcourt’s profile within government and the nuclear sector as a leading global authority within the nuclear insurance industry. Reporting to Optio executive chairman Matthew Fosh, he will work alongside Northcourt chief executive, Alan Rickett and fellow consultant and respected authority on nuclear risk, Mark Tetley. Butler will further support Northcourt in achieving its strategic ambitions, positioning and optimising the business to meet the shifting needs of its nuclear clients at a time of great change for the industry.

Following his distinguished military career, in which he served as both Commander of 22 SAS and Commander of the British Forces in Afghanistan, Butler has spent the last 14 years in commercial risk consultancy and terrorism reinsurance. He brings almost four decades of experience in the geopolitical, intelligence, risk, resilience, nuclear and insurance sectors to Northcourt.

Fosh said:

“I am excited to welcome Ed at such a pivotal moment for the nuclear industry, as it prepares to play a key role in global government plans to decarbonise their economies and hit ambitious net zero targets.  Northcourt is alive to both the challenges and the international nuclear industry’s need for attentive, creative and innovative solutions. Ed’s appointment is very much a signal of Northcourt’s intent to be a front runner in that and a powerful enabler of the nuclear industry’s future.”

Butler said:

“I’m delighted to be joining Northcourt as a senior advisor and helping them build out their reach and develop new capacity.  It’s an exciting time for the nuclear industry as the UK commits to an extensive programme investing in both large-scale reactors and small and advanced modular reactors.  The insurance industry needs to match the New Nuclear strategy with innovative and long-term cover which provides the UK with a sustainable and secure clean energy capability.”