Aberdeen-based engineering and oil services giant Wood plc said on Thursday it secured a new contract worth up to $1 billion to provide engineering design services to Sellafield Ltd over the next 20 years.

Wood also announced senior independent director Roy Franklin will become chair of the firm on September 1, 2019, succeeding Ian Marchant, who is retiring.

Further, Wood said in an annual general meeting statement that its performance in the first quarter “is slightly ahead of prior year” and that for 2019, its overall outlook is unchanged.

In the Sellafield contract news, Wood said it has been selected as design and engineering partner at the UK’s most complex nuclear site as part of the new Programme and Project Partners (PPP) procurement model.

“Sellafield Ltd has described PPP as a ‘game changer’ for the supply chain, creating long-term relationships with selected partners, developing closer working practices, and delivering projects faster without compromising safety standards,” said Wood.

Bob MacDonald, CEO of Wood’s Specialist Technical Solutions business, said: “This is a fantastic endorsement of Wood’s ability to meet the most complex nuclear decommissioning challenges.  

“We already have a deep, shared history with Sellafield and this new appointment provides a platform for us to assist with safe and secure operation and clean-up over the next two decades.  

“This award reflects a highly collaborative approach that we adopt to achieve shared outcomes with customers and partners.

“We are looking forward to working with Sellafield and our partners to maximise socio-economic benefits for local communities.”