The Czech power company CEZ signed a deal on Tuesday with Britain’s Rolls-Royce SMR to form a strategic partnership to develop and deploy small modular nuclear reactors.

He joined the company in 2010, meaning he will be the longest-serving chief executive since Claude Johnson, who combined the Charles Rolls and Henry Royce brands together back in 1904

The boss of aeroplane engine maker Rolls-Royce has quit the business after eight years at the helm. Warren East said he will leave at the end of the year as now is the “right moment to look to the future”.

Unite said it was a “fresh blow” for workers as well as companies which supply Rolls-Royce.