newcleo Fortifies Leadership for Advanced Nuclear Energy Push

PARIS, France – January 09, 2026 – In a strategic move signaling its preparation for significant global expansion, advanced modular reactor pioneer newcleo today announced two critical leadership appointments. Co-founder Elisabeth Rizzotti has been promoted to Deputy Chief Executive Officer, while seasoned financial executive Jon Stranske has been named Group Chief Financial Officer. These appointments fortify the company’s executive team at a pivotal moment as it aims to accelerate the deployment of its innovative nuclear technology and fuel recycling business.

Founded in 2021, newcleo has rapidly emerged as a key player in the race to develop Generation IV nuclear reactors. The company is focused on designing and building lead-cooled fast reactors (LFRs) that are fueled by mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel, which is produced by reprocessing existing nuclear waste. This approach aims to create a closed fuel cycle, promising safer, cleaner, and more sustainable energy while addressing the long-standing challenge of nuclear waste management.

“These leadership appointments come at a pivotal time as we advance our nuclear energy and fuel recycling business and prepare for expected strong growth ahead,” said Stefano Buono, Founder and CEO of newcleo. The move is widely seen as an effort to pair deep operational knowledge with strategic financial expertise to navigate the complex and capital-intensive path to commercialization.

An Executive Team Built for Growth

The promotions reflect a deliberate strategy to leverage internal expertise while bringing in proven financial acumen. Elisabeth Rizzotti, a physicist by training, has been instrumental to the company's trajectory since its inception, serving as Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director of Italy. Her career path, which began at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) before a decade in strategic consulting at Accenture and senior roles at UBI Banca, provides her with a unique blend of scientific understanding and operational leadership. In her elevated role as Deputy CEO, she will continue to oversee global operations while working directly with Buono on the company's long-term strategic vision.

“Elisabeth's promotion to Deputy CEO recognizes her instrumental role in building newcleo from the ground up and her deep understanding of our technology and operations,” Buono stated, highlighting her foundational contribution to the company.

Joining the leadership team is Jon Stranske, whose appointment as Group CFO is a clear signal of newcleo's financial ambitions. Stranske arrives from NASDAQ-listed Certara, where he was SVP of Financial Planning and Analysis. His resume includes a history of guiding technology and life sciences companies through critical growth phases. Notably, he played a key role in leading GeneDx through a successful $500 million listing at a $3 billion valuation. His experience in building scalable finance functions, managing M&A transactions, and steering investor relations at firms like Univision Communications will be crucial as newcleo scales its operations and seeks further capital.

“Jon's proven ability to build investor confidence, scale finance operations, and guide companies through complex transactions will be invaluable as we continue to establish newcleo as a leader in advanced nuclear technology and fuel recycling,” Buono added.

Technology to Close the Nuclear Cycle

At the heart of newcleo’s strategy is its innovative approach to both energy generation and waste management. The company is developing advanced, lead-cooled fast reactors (LFRs), a Generation IV technology known for its enhanced passive safety features. Unlike traditional water-cooled reactors, LFRs can operate at higher temperatures and lower pressure, reducing the risk of accidents.

More significantly, newcleo plans to fuel these reactors with MOX fuel made from reprocessed plutonium and uranium extracted from the spent fuel of existing nuclear power plants. This concept of a “closed fuel cycle” offers profound benefits. Research indicates that multi-recycling spent fuel in fast reactors can reduce the volume of high-level radioactive waste requiring deep geological disposal by over 99%. It also dramatically shortens the time the remaining waste stays dangerously radioactive, from hundreds of thousands of years to just a few thousand.

“Having been part of newcleo's journey from the very beginning, I'm excited to continue working alongside Stefano and our exceptional team to drive our strategic vision forward while maintaining our operational excellence across all markets,” Rizzotti commented on her new role.

This technology also promises to enhance energy security by turning a long-term liability—nuclear waste—into a valuable asset. By utilizing existing stockpiles of spent fuel, newcleo aims to create a practically inexhaustible energy source without the need for new uranium mining.

“The company's innovative approach to advanced modular reactor technology, combined with its strong commitment to producing Sustainable Nuclear Fuels, represents a compelling opportunity to contribute to the clean energy transition while building a world-class finance organization,” said Stranske.

Navigating a Global Renaissance and Regulatory Path

newcleo’s ambitions are set against the backdrop of a global nuclear renaissance, where concerns over climate change and energy independence are driving renewed interest in nuclear power. The company is not alone in this space, facing competition from other advanced reactor developers like TerraPower, Oklo, and X-energy. However, newcleo’s distinct focus on a fully integrated system—from reactor design to fuel recycling—serves as a key market differentiator.

The company is making tangible progress on the regulatory front. In 2024, it strategically relocated its headquarters from London to Paris, a move designed to strengthen its position within the European Union and align with France's pro-nuclear stance. The company has committed up to €3 billion in investments in France by 2030 and is advancing its reactor design and fuel plant licensing processes with French authorities. This follows a setback in the UK, where despite its reactor design being accepted for regulatory assessment, the government indicated it would not make its plutonium stockpile available for fuel, a key component of newcleo's model.

Beyond France, the company has signed agreements in Slovakia for the potential construction of four reactors and is pursuing deployment opportunities in the United States and other jurisdictions. With over 900 employees across Europe and €570 million raised in private funding from investors including Exor and Inarcassa, newcleo has built a substantial foundation. Its reported 2024 revenues of €70 million, primarily from its acquired engineering and manufacturing subsidiaries, demonstrate an initial capacity for generating income while its core technology remains in development. These strategic leadership appointments are the latest step in ensuring the company has the operational and financial firepower to turn its ambitious vision for a circular nuclear economy into a reality.