Sureclean has appointed senior radiological protection expert Karen Gunn as Radiological Director, marking a decisive step in its mission to become the global leader in NORM decontamination.
The move embeds Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) and Radioactive Waste Adviser (RWA) expertise directly within Sureclean’s operational structure, setting the company apart from traditional NORM contractors that rely on external advisory support. By bringing this authority in-house, Sureclean is integrating regulatory interpretation, operational design and waste governance under one accountable delivery model.
As global decommissioning and P&A activity accelerates across the UK Continental Shelf and markets including Asia, Brazil and the Middle East, operators face increasing regulatory scrutiny and rising expectations around radiological compliance and waste traceability as part of operational delivery.
In many programmes, cleaning, monitoring and NORM management are treated as the “loose ends” of a campaign – critical for compliance, but often secondary to major scopes such as wells and heavy lift. When delivered through multiple contractors, this can increase handovers, create documentation gaps and heighten the risk of delays at end-of-campaign regulatory sign-off.
By embedding capability within its operational delivery, Sureclean removes the traditional divide between advisory oversight and execution. Radiological interpretation, operational methodology and waste governance now sit within one accountable structure, strengthening audit defensibility, improving traceability and reducing the risk of late-stage compliance disruption.
As regulatory scrutiny intensifies globally and decommissioning campaigns scale in complexity, operators require embedded authority and end-to-end radiological control. Sureclean’s appointment of a Radiological Director reflects a deliberate shift toward governed delivery, setting a new benchmark in NORM risk management across the asset lifecycle.
Simon Gibb, CEO, and Karen Gunn, Radiological Director.
Karen Gunn brings more than 30 years’ experience in radiological protection and health physics across the nuclear, defence, oil and gas, and decommissioning sectors. Throughout her career, she has developed strong technical, regulatory, and practical expertise, applying radiation protection principles in nuclear and other high-hazard industries.
A certified Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) and Radioactive Waste Adviser (RWA), Karen is recognised for her commitment to protecting people and the environment by maintaining high safety standards, ensuring regulatory compliance, and keeping exposures as low as reasonably practicable. She is known for delivering advice that is practical, proportionate, and aligned with operational needs.
In her new position at Sureclean, she brings extensive industry experience, leadership capability, and a strong track record of supporting safe, compliant, and efficient operations.
Karen will be based at Sureclean’s purpose-built, five-acre NORM decontamination facility in Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire.
Karen said: “I’m pleased to be joining Sureclean at an important point for the industry. As regulatory expectations and stakeholder scrutiny continue to increase, particularly as the oil and gas sector enters a significant phase of decommissioning, it is clear that traditional models for radiological compliance are no longer sufficient.
“Sureclean’s innovative mindset and commitment to raising standards across the UK and international markets reflect a clear sense of purpose and direction. I look forward to contributing to this next phase of growth and to supporting clients in managing NORM risk with confidence and consistency.”
Simon Gibb, CEO at Sureclean, added: “Karen’s appointment is a strategic investment in knowledge and capability at a time when the industry needs greater certainty and accountability.
“By bringing RPA and RWA authority in-house, we are strengthening accountability across the business and ensuring radiological risk is managed with the highest level of technical oversight.
“This reinforces our commitment to protecting the planet, reducing waste at source and delivering decommissioning support that is not only compliant but responsible. It establishes a fundamental industry shift in how NORM decontamination is delivered, positioning Sureclean as the technical authority in NORM decontamination, not just in execution, but in governance.”