The Supervisory Board of JSC "NAEK Energoatom" has completed a months-long process of selecting the company's key executives, electing Yuriy Tkachuk as the new Chief Executive Officer and Pavlo Pavlyshin as Director for Nuclear Safety. This was reported by Ukraine's Ministry of Economy and Environment, which RBC-Ukraine cited with reference to the results of the Supervisory Board meeting. The appointments will take effect after the completion of mandatory regulatory and corporate procedures, including licensing for the position related to nuclear safety.
How the Selection Was Conducted: 78 Candidates and International Recruiting
The choice of winners was the outcome of an independent competitive selection process that ran from June to September 2026. The international recruiting firm Korn Ferry was engaged for the process, underscoring Energoatom's commitment to transparency and international standards in personnel selection. A total of 78 candidates from various countries around the world took part in the search for the company's head. The finalists underwent a multi-stage assessment: competency checks, verification of business reputation (due diligence), a series of interviews with members of the Supervisory Board, and the presentation of their own strategic vision for the development of the enterprise. It was precisely the combination of these criteria that determined the Supervisory Board's final decision.
A New Corporate Governance Model: Separation of Powers
The key structural change enshrined as part of this appointment was the separation of two previously combined functions. If earlier the management of the enterprise and responsibility for nuclear safety were concentrated in one pair of hands, now the Chief Executive Officer will focus on the operational and strategic management of the company, while the Director for Nuclear Safety will bear separate, specialized responsibility for the safety of the nuclear power plants. This model aligns with international practices in the management of nuclear companies and is aimed at reducing the concentration of powers and enhancing accountability. In parallel, the Supervisory Board is continuing the selection of five additional members of the company's management board, which indicates a large-scale renewal of Energoatom's management team.
Who Are Tkachuk and Pavlyshin: Profiles of the New Leaders
Yuriy Tkachuk, elected Chief Executive Officer, currently heads JSC "Ukrhydrometallurgy"—a key enterprise in the natural gas extraction sector. Before that, he worked at "Ukrnafta," where he served as acting head of the company and held the position of Financial Director. Thus, the new head of Energoatom has significant experience in managing large state energy assets and financial discipline. Pavlo Pavlyshin, appointed Director for Nuclear Safety, has more than 30 years of experience in Ukraine's nuclear industry. From 2012 to 2022 he headed the Rivne Nuclear Power Plant, and in 2019–2020 he temporarily served as acting President of Energoatom. His specialized expertise in nuclear safety makes him, in the logic of the Supervisory Board, the optimal candidate for the dedicated position.
Regulatory Procedures and Licensing
Both appointments are not instantaneous: to take effect, they must undergo mandatory regulatory and corporate procedures. For the position of Director for Nuclear Safety, an additional requirement is provided for—obtaining an individual license from the authorized regulator. Energoatom intends to submit Pavlo Pavlyshin's candidacy for licensing after his official appointment to the position. This means that the actual start of work for the new leadership may take several weeks or months, depending on the speed of the bureaucratic procedures.
Context: The Heating Season and the Critical State of the Zaporizhzhia NPP
The appointment of Energoatom's new leadership comes against the backdrop of growing pressure from parliament and the expert community. In advance of the heating season, Members of Parliament and analysts have repeatedly called on the Cabinet of Ministers to appoint full-fledged heads for strategic state enterprises, in particular "Naftogaz" and Energoatom, emphasizing that the government should more actively perform the functions of an owner and take direct responsibility for the companies' operations. In parallel, the situation at the occupied nuclear generation facilities remains extremely tense: according to Energoatom, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is in a critical state in terms of nuclear and radiation safety. The constant use of backup diesel generators significantly increases the risk of failure of equipment necessary for the safe operation of the plant. Under these conditions, the appointment of a specialized Director for Nuclear Safety with thirty years of industry experience is perceived as a strategically important step.
