New ANSTO Board appointment – Rear Admiral Katherine Richards AM

ANSTO welcomes the appointment of Rear Admiral (RADM) Katherine Richards AM to the ANSTO Board as a part-time member for a 3-year term, commencing from 24 March 2025.

RADM Richards has served for over 36 years in the Royal Australian Navy and brings extensive engineering and leadership experience to the ANSTO Board.

As a former Head of Nuclear-Powered Submarine Design with the Department of Defence, RADM Richards has a significant understanding of nuclear safety and regulation.

Over the past 10 years, RADM Richards' long-standing career has included appointments as the Defence Seaworthiness Regulator and the Naval Technical Regulator, and Head of Naval Engineering.

RADM Richards has previously served on the Radiation Health Council of Australia and the Nuclear Safety Committee at the invitation of Dr Gillian Hirth, the CEO of ARPANSA. She is a member of the Order of Australia (AM) and was recognised with a Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC) for her time in Command at HMAS CERBERUS in Victoria.

In November 2024, she became one of only 200 engineers nation-wide to be appointed as an Honorary Fellow of Engineers Australia.

ANSTO CEO Shaun Jenkinson said it is an honour to welcome RADM Richards to the ANSTO Board.

"RADM Richards brings a wealth of public sector governance and regulatory expertise to her appointment," Mr Jenkinson said.

"Her extensive background in engineering and nuclear will strongly complement and be an invaluable contribution to ANSTO's broad range of operations and nuclear safety capabilities."