Former NBN CEO Michael Quigley has been appointed as chair of Australian’s nuclear science organisation.

Mr Quigley, who brings with him experience in medical research and corporate and capital management in Australia and overseas, has worked across the public and private sectors, including with US telecommunications company Alcatel where he was president and COO.

He was the NBN Co’s first Chief Executive Officer between 2009 and 2013.

In 2015 he criticised NBN for cost blowouts and delays that he said were the fault of changes made by the then government to the rollout plan.

After retiring from NBN Co he has been involved in developing and delivering a number of courses in Telecommunications at UTS where he is an Adjunct Professor.

Mr Quigley’s extensive financial and governance skills and his passion for medical and scientific research would support the management of ANSTO’s new nuclear medicine manufacturing facility, industry and science minister Ed Husic said.

“ANSTO helps to deliver lifesaving nuclear medicines to Australians every single day. It is important that this critical organisation continues to be well governed,” Mr Husic said in a statement on Tuesday.

“His appointment will complement the scientific, technical and research expertise of the existing ANSTO Board and further strengthen this world-class organisation.”

ANSTO is tasked with providing advice to government on nuclear and science technology matters and supporting access to nuclear medicines.

Each week ANSTO, which operates Australia’s only nuclear reactor in Sydney’s Lucas Heights, produces about 12,000 patient doses of nuclear medicine which are sent to around 250 hospitals and medical centres.

Mr Quigley’s appointment comes amid debate over Opposition leader Peter Dutton’s proposed nuclear energy plan which would see seven Commonwealth-owned nuclear plants built on end of life coal power sites across Australia as an alternative to the government’s renewables only policy.