Board Members

I’m a passionate people-person, always eager to meet new individuals and learn from their experiences. I collaborate with others to share knowledge and create lasting change in our communities, driven by my integrity and commitment to equal opportunities for all.

My friends and colleagues describe me as a dynamic and compassionate individual, driven by a fierce passion for helping others, especially those in need of a voice. I pride myself on my integrity and dedication to creating equal opportunities for all so that everyone can thrive.

Colin Cox has been Director of Public Health and Communities for Cumberland Council since that Council was formed in April 2023 following the reorganisation of local government in Cumbria. In this role he is responsible not only for public health but also for public protection and a wide range of community engagement and community development functions. Prior to this he was Director of Public Health for Cumbria for nine years, during which he was instrumental in establishing  the Health and Wellbeing Coach team, a significant new approach to supporting individuals to improve their health and wellbeing, as well as leading the local response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Before Cumbria he spent 11 years in Manchester’s Joint Health Unit and public health team, having moved there from Stockport, where he started his career co-ordinating the work of the Drug Action Team before moving into wider health policy and partnership management.

Mike is Director of Waste Operations and Sites at Nuclear Waste Services (formerly Low Level Waste Repository or LLWR), responsible for operating the LLW Repository nuclear licensed site safely and securely.

He brings over 25 years’ global experience across high-hazard and highly-regulated industries, including oil & gas exploration in Argentina, Falklands Islands, Brasil and the Gulf of Mexico; rail infrastructure survey and asset management across the UK; and nuclear across the UK, France and Japan.

Mike has proven experience across nuclear new-build, operational reactor sites, defueling and decommissioning sites, nuclear reprocessing facilities, and nuclear waste management and disposal. During this time he has worked across the full depth of the nuclear industry as nuclear safety regulator, nuclear site licensee, GDA Requesting Party, Site Licence Applicant, and advisory consultant.

Mike is a champion for inclusivity, resilience and sustainability. He is also an active mountain-sports participant.

Andy is the Socio-Economic Manager at the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).  Andy’s role in the NDA involves working with colleagues and community partners across the NDA estate to develop and deliver a programme of grant funding aimed at creating opportunities for economic growth, diversification, and employment in local communities.  Andy joined the NDA in 2015, prior to which he worked for 18-years in Cumbria County Council in a variety of Education, Policy, and Economic Development roles, latterly leading on the identification of infrastructure and service requirements in the communities of West Cumbria.