The appointment, he noted, is for a three-year period and is effective October 1. Mounsey will be compensated at £26,000 annually.

“I am delighted that the Coal Authority will continue to benefit from the combination of Dr Mounsey’s extensive experience in the private sector and the solid grounding she has developed over her board membership since 2002,” Wicks said in a statement.

Mounsey, a PhD graduate of the University of Durham, was initially appointed to the Coal Authority for a five-year term commencing in November 2002. Her past professional experience includes PricewaterhouseCoopers and IBM Business Consulting. Mounsey has an extensive background in asset management and operational systems in the utilities sector of business and is a published author and teacher.

The Coal Authority was established by the British Parliament in 1994 for various industry purposes, including the licensing of British coal mining operations; processing subsidence damage claims and reviewing liability issues relating to property; and to allow the public access to information on both former and current operations.