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February 2010

Last week, UK Energy Minister Lord Hunt visited Sellafield.  While he was greeted by a number of senior management and executive team members, 27-year-old Nuclear Institute Cumbria Branch Committee and Young Generation Network Committee member, Leanne Hodgson, tells us what an honour it was to have Lord Hunt at Sellafield and how the visit came about...

"Hi I’m Leanne Hodgson and I’m a safety and Risk Management team member. In addition to working at Sellafield, I am also a member of the Nuclear Institute (NI) Cumbria Branch Committee and also the Young Generation Network (YGN) Core Committee.

The YGN is a group created by the NI to offer the younger members of the NI the opportunity to further their knowledge and facilitate networking between generations. It assists career progression and provides a resource for the future of the industry. In addition to this we are also committed to promoting knowledge on a wider arena and within the general public.

I organise a range of events in the Sellafield area including ‘The Rough Guide to the Nuclear Industry’ seminars and serve on the regional events committee.

As part of my role at YGN I recently wrote to the Rt Hon Lord Hunt, the UK Energy Minister, and invited him to come and address and meet the YGN membership in Cumbria. 

To our delight, Lord Hunt contacted us three weeks ago and asked to meet us! 

Leading up to the visit, I had to organise everything from sourcing a lecture theatre to making up name badges. The help of my YGN colleagues from across Sellafield and the Nuclear Industry Association was invaluable and we were able to host the event at the Sellafield Centre with the financial backing of Sellafield Ltd.

Over 30 local YGN members attended this event including both those from Sellafield Ltd, the supply chain and even those as far as field as BAE systems in Barrow. 

We were also delighted that George Beveredge (deputy MD of Sellafield Ltd) and Dick Raaz (MD of LLWR) were able to come along would like to thank them for all the support their respective organisations’ gave to both the NI and the YGN.

Speaking at the event George commented that he was delighted that Sellafield Ltd could host the event, recognising that the YGN plays an important role in the nuclear industry, both locally and further a field. 

Claire Gallery-Strong (Cumbria NI chair) and Alan Ruiz (YGN vice chair) began the precessions by addressing the audience - speaking about the work the NI and YGN undertake.

Lord Hunt then took to the stage to talk about the UKs low carbon energy future and about the potential for nuclear new build.  He also took the opportunity to thank us for 'playing such a major role in getting the message out' on new nuclear, which was particularly rewarding.

Lord Hunt then took the time to meet all the attendees over a drinks reception and spoke to us individually about our careers in the nuclear sector and the future of the industry.

We all thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to meet such a senior cabinet minister and the evening was a great success - certainly making all the hard work and effort in organising it, worthwhile!”

For more information on the Young Generation Network Please visit www.nuclearinst-ygn.com