Mark Dearden

Executive Director, Infrastructure Projects Delivery (IPD)

Mark became Executive Director, Infrastructure Projects Delivery (IPD) on 1 October 2025.

Mark joined AWE in January 2025 to lead the Infrastructure Projects Delivery (IPD) programme as Portfolio Director. His vision extends beyond project delivery, he is passionate about developing people, fostering leadership, and building a legacy of excellence. Mark champions collaboration, transparency, and bold decision-making, believing that success is built through cohesive teamwork and learning from challenges.

Mark is a seasoned project and programme leader with over 30 years of experience at executive and strategic levels across infrastructure, defence, and energy sectors. A Chartered Civil and Structural Engineer, Mark has led complex initiatives in oil and gas, civil nuclear, and submarine programmes, both in the UK and internationally.

His career spans 16 years of global experience, having delivered major projects across the Caribbean, US, Asia, and Africa. Mark has held pivotal leadership roles, including spearheading the MEH Alliance at Sizewell C, resetting infrastructure and submarine programmes at Devonport, and contributing to the UK defence programme supporting Ukraine. He also led the key assurance review of HMS Vanguard during its major refit, reinforcing his deep commitment to the Continuous At-Sea Deterrent (CASD).

Mark is married with two children and enjoys cycling, cooking, and spending time with his family.

Latest news

Celebrating Ada Lovelace – the worlds’ first computer programmer

Last week, in Ada Lovelace’s honour, a passionate team from AWE welcomed around 70 enthusiastic Year 6 students and their teachers to a STEM event to celebrate science, creativity and resilience. In the early 19th century, long before the digital age, Ada Lovelace laid the groundwork for modern computing. Born in 1815, Ada was fascinated by mathematics […]

Press Releases

22 Oct 2025

Office for Nuclear Regulation investigation findings

Today, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) announced its investigation findings following the fatality of a Balfour Beatty employee in 2023, who was working in a construction enclave on AWE’s Aldermaston site.

A commemorative display in a grand room with marble columns and historic portraits, showcasing AWE's 75-year timeline of nuclear security technologies from the 1940s to the present, under the slogan 'Proud of our past. Prepared for the future.'

75 Years of AWE: A landmark innovation showcase

On 16 October, AWE marked a major milestone in its history with the ‘AWE75: Proud of our past. Prepared for our future.’ event at the Institution of Civil Engineers, London. The event saw over 100 guests from across government, academia and the defence community gather to commemorate AWE’s legacy and look ahead to our future.