Elevating Women in Nuclear Leadership
A Groundbreaking Partnership
Great British Nuclear (GBN) has taken a bold step forward by aligning with Women in Nuclear UK’s (WiN) transformative scheme aimed at propelling women into senior board-level roles within the nuclear industry. This initiative marks a significant stride toward gender balance in leadership positions, demonstrating GBN’s commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion.
The Matching Scheme: Creating Opportunities
This novel ‘matching’ scheme is designed to provide women with essential boardroom experience in key nuclear companies and organizations. Furthermore, selected candidates undergo tailored training to align their expertise with the specific needs of a leading nuclear business. Consequently, this enhances their readiness for director and board roles.
Introducing Eleri Joyce to the GBN Board
A Step Towards Balanced Leadership
GBN has embraced this initiative by creating a boardroom attendee space. Furthermore, Eleri Joyce of Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) will be participating in GBN Board meetings starting January 2024. Additionally, Eleri, with her extensive 18-year background in the nuclear sector, including roles in business improvement, brings invaluable expertise to the GBN board.
Leadership Statements
Gwen Parry-Jones, Chief Executive of GBN, expressed pride in supporting WiN’s objective to augment the presence of women in senior roles across the UK nuclear industry. She warmly welcomed Eleri Joyce’s appointment to GBN under the WiN Non-Executive Director (WiN-NED) Programme.
GBN Chair, Simon Bowen, highlighted Eleri’s diverse experience and the opportunity for her to contribute significantly to GBN’s development during a critical phase for the industry. Bowen emphasized GBN’s leadership role in enhancing gender balance and representation of women in leadership positions.
WiN UK’s Vision and Impact
Addressing Board-Level Gender Disparity
Ivan Baldwin, WiN UK President, acknowledged the underrepresentation of women at the Board level in the nuclear industry. He stressed that this scheme offers a mutually beneficial development opportunity for both the participating companies and the selected candidates, enriching the industry with diverse perspectives.
Participant Diversity
The participating companies in this initiative are WiN UK Charter signatories, committed to diversity across the nuclear sector. Moreover, they vary in size and complexity, ranging from micro companies and SMEs to multi-nationals and government arm’s length bodies like GBN.
Key Targets and Pilot Project
WiN UK aims to raise the proportion of women in senior management to 30% by 2030, up from the current industry average of 13%. Additionally, the pilot project, set to run for a year, will demonstrate an effective recruitment, training, and mentoring leadership programme. Furthermore, there are plans to develop future NED mentors.
Great British Nuclear’s Expanding Role
GBN’s Strategic Expansion
Great British Nuclear, as a government arm’s length body, plays a pivotal role in advancing new nuclear-generating capacity in the UK. Following the launch of a competitive process in April 2023 for Small Modular Reactor technologies, GBN is working towards selecting projects for a Final Investment Decision by 2029.
Advisory Role and Workforce Transition
GBN’s remit extends beyond the SMR competition, as outlined in the government’s Nuclear Roadmap. It will also serve as a specialist nuclear advisor to the government, addressing a range of industry and sectoral barriers to the investment and deployment of nuclear strategy. A transition to a full-time employee workforce is planned for 2024/2025, highlighting GBN’s ongoing commitment to growth and development in the nuclear sector.
In Conclusion
Great British Nuclear’s partnership with Women in Nuclear UK exemplifies a proactive approach to enhancing gender diversity at the leadership level within the nuclear industry. This initiative not only fosters equal representation but also enriches the sector with diverse insights and experiences. GBN’s continued expansion and strategic role further solidify its commitment to shaping a progressive and inclusive future for the UK’s nuclear industry.
Sources: THX News & Great British Nuclear.
