The Nuclear South West Winter Conference will take place on Friday 27 November at Burges Salmon, Bristol.
This year’s theme, “Turning Ideas, Capability and Capacity into Opportunity, Investment and Delivery to ensure every postcode in the UK benefits”, reflects the pace of the UK’s nuclear renaissance and the significant opportunities emerging across the South West and beyond, ensuring that communities across the UK can share in the benefits of investment, innovation and growth.
We are particularly pleased to confirm that Simon Bowen, Chair of Great British Energy Nuclear, will deliver the keynote address, sharing his perspective on the UK’s nuclear ambitions and the role the South West can play in supporting delivery, investment, innovation and long-term energy security.
The conference will bring together senior leaders from government, industry, academia and the investment community for a morning of discussion focused on the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of the UK’s nuclear and clean energy sectors.
Panels and discussions will be facilitated by experienced industry leaders and communicators, including Matthew Williams of SEC Newgate and Matt Burley of PwC, ensuring lively, informed and engaging debate throughout the morning.
Thank you to our Sponsors; Venue – Burges Salmon, Refreshments – Team Defence Information, SEC Newgate – Lunch (more info below)
The running order and speaker biographies are provided below.
Conference Host
Dr James Cowan – James is Interim Chief Programme Officer for UK Fusion Energy Ltd and Programme Director for STEP, the UK’s flagship fusion energy programme. With more than 30 years’ experience leading major national programmes across defence, infrastructure, security and science, he is recognised for delivering complex, high-profile projects in challenging environments
Panel Moderators
Matthew Williams – Matthew is an Account Manager at SEC Newgate UK, advising clients across the energy, infrastructure and development sectors. Based in Exeter, he specialises in stakeholder engagement, political intelligence and strategic communications. Matthew supports projects requiring sensitive engagement with communities, local government and wider stakeholders, including supporting Hinkley Point C’s community forums and stakeholder engagement. He is also a serving councillor on Exeter City Council.
Matt Burley – Matt is a leading Nuclear Director and a Chartered Engineer with extensive experience across the civil and defence nuclear sectors. A former Chair of Nuclear South West, he has led and advised major capital projects, strategic growth programmes and organisational transformation initiatives in the UK and internationally. Matt brings a unique blend of engineering, commercial and leadership expertise to the region’s nuclear ambitions
Intro and Welcome
Jay Bhart – Jay is Chair of Nuclear South West and Key Account Director at Assystem, bringing more than two decades of leadership experience across the nuclear, defence and aerospace sectors. His career has spanned senior roles in government and industry, including the Department for Business and Trade, Cogent Skills, BAE Systems, Magnox, Cavendish Nuclear, the Nuclear Industry Association and Rolls-Royce. He is committed to strengthening collaboration across industry, government and academia to maximise opportunities for the South West and support the UK’s future energy ambitions.
Key Note Speech
Simon will share his perspective on the UK’s nuclear ambitions, the role of Great British Energy Nuclear in accelerating deployment, and the opportunities this presents for regions, investors and supply chains across the South West.
Simon Bowen – Simon is Chair of Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N). Before taking up this role, he served as the Industry Adviser to the Prime Minster and Secretary of State focused on the rejuvenation of the nuclear new build sector leading the scoping study which led to the formation of Great British Nuclear. Simon began his career as an engineering officer in the Royal Navy, serving on submarines and subsequently lead multiple operational businesses across the petrochemical, renewables, civil nuclear, and defence nuclear sectors.
In 2015, Simon joined Babcock International as Chief Executive for Nuclear, including Cavendish Nuclear and the defence nuclear portfolio, including naval base services and submarine maintenance at Devonport, Clyde, and Rosyth. He retired from Babcock in December 2021. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, an Honorary Fellow of the Nuclear Institute and was deeply privileged to be elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Panel 1: Supply Chain Retooling for Future Nuclear Programmes
Repurposing Hinkley Point C-related capability for emerging opportunities across the UK’s nuclear sector.
Corinne Matthews – Corinne is Industrial Sectors Specialist at Somerset Council and a member of the Nuclear South West Strategic Board. Since joining the Hinkley Point C programme in 2011, she has worked to maximise the economic and social benefits of the UK’s first new nuclear power station in a generation, supporting supply chain development, workforce skills, inward investment and long-term regional growth. Corinne is also one of the founding architects of Nuclear South West, helping to bring together industry, government and academia to strengthen the region’s nuclear capability and legacy.
Andrew Cockcroft – Andrew leads EDF’s work on external engagement and regional impact for Hinkley Point C, helping maximise the project’s social and economic benefits across the South West. Having played a key role in the programme for more than a decade, his work spans supply chain development, skills, regional growth and ensuring the region is well positioned for future nuclear opportunities.
Jason Marley – Jason is Associate Vice President of Functional Delivery at Framatome, responsible for strategic leadership across project management, engineering, manufacturing and site delivery. With a background spanning military service, oil and gas, and the nuclear sector, he is passionate about developing capability, supporting supply chains and building the workforce needed for future nuclear programmes.
Panel Session – Critical Minerals & Isotopes for Nuclear, Fusion and R&D
Exploring the role of lithium, medical isotopes, supply chains and the wider research landscape in supporting future nuclear and fusion technologies.
Professor Tom Scott – Tom is Director of the South West Nuclear Hub and a Royal Academy of Engineering Chair at the University of Bristol. One of the UK’s leading nuclear academics, he brings more than 20 years’ experience across nuclear technologies, advanced materials, critical minerals, isotopes and fusion, helping shape both national research priorities and energy policy.
Panel Session – Nuclear Skills: Building a Workforce
Understanding the current and future skills mix, talent pipeline and workforce capability required to deliver the UK’s nuclear ambitions.
Debbie Joce – Debbie (Babcock Skills Director) is a strategic workforce and skills leader with extensive HR experience and a passion for developing people and capability. Debbie has led national early careers and critical skills programmes, helping shape the UK’s 10-year nuclear skills plan. Working across government, industry and education, she drives solutions to address skills shortages and support growth. Debbie also serves on several boards, is a trustee of a women’s charity, and is recognised for delivering practical, high-impact initiatives through collaborative leadership.
Mark Rouse – Mark began his nuclear career building Royal Navy submarines at Vickers Shipbuilding in Barrow and then maintaining them at Devonport Royal Dockyard with DML/Babcock. In 2013, he moved into the civil nuclear sector, becoming Managing Director of Dounreay for Cavendish Nuclear, before spending four years establishing the company’s business in Japan. Returning to Dounreay as Managing Director in 2020, he then joined the Nuclear Skills Plan on secondment to the NDA in 2024 as Skills Director and co-chair of the Nuclear Skills Delivery Board, bringing extensive cross-sector experience and a strong commitment to developing future nuclear talent.
Hydrogen Strategic Update
Examining the pivot towards e-fuels and the role of nuclear-enabled hydrogen in the future energy mix.
David Eccles – David has been the Director of Hydrogen South West (HSW) since its inception in 2022. Previously he was the external face of the Hinkley Point C new nuclear power station for 10 years. HSW is an association of companies ranging from Airbus and GKN to modestly sized innovators whose collective aim is to develop the hydrogen and e-fuels sector in the South West. The organisation is now focussing on hydrogen derivatives such as SAF and methanol for shipping as much as using hydrogen as a primary energy carrier.
Panel Session – Unlocking the Severn Edge Opportunity
Examining opportunities for new nuclear development, advanced manufacturing, hydrogen, and integrated energy systems across the Severn Edge corridor
Stefan Cecchini – Stefan is a recognised leader in the UK nuclear sector with more than 30 years’ experience spanning engineering, business development and major project delivery. Currently leading Turnbull Infrastructure & Utilities’ expansion into the nuclear new-build market, he has held senior roles across the industry and is a passionate advocate for innovation, skills development and regional growth.
Zoe Stollard – Zoe is a Partner at Browne Jacobson and a highly experienced construction and infrastructure lawyer with more than 20 years’ experience advising on major projects in the UK and internationally. Having worked extensively across Hinkley Point C, Sizewell C and STEP Fusion, she specialises in the commercial and contractual frameworks that support the successful delivery of complex nuclear programmes.
Anna Tyler-Revell – Anna is Head of Organisational Development at Nuclear Restoration Services and brings over 15 years’ experience across nuclear decommissioning, workforce development and organisational change. She is passionate about building the skills, leadership and culture needed to support the future success of the UK’s nuclear sector
Panel Session – Investor & Develop Panel
What do investors need to make decisions? What makes the South West an attractive proposition? What practical steps are required to unlock investment and accelerate delivery?
John Gane – John is Managing Director of Babcock’s Devonport Royal Dockyard and the appointed Nuclear Licence Duty Holder. He leads one of Europe’s largest naval dockyards, overseeing operations, infrastructure and major defence programmes. Working closely with partners across Team Plymouth, John supports innovation, workforce development and economic growth, drawing on a career spanning the chemical, aerospace and defence sectors in the UK and internationally.
Ian Hudson –
Robert Proctor – Robert has been working on the potential new nuclear, high energy ecosystem development at Oldbury and the Severn Edge for the last 3 years. The Digital Power Alliance now has members drawn from some of the world’s leading nuclear technology vendors, construction companies, nuclear engineering organisations and training and skills providers. The Alliance also has exclusivity over some 800 acres of land to accommodate its high energy off-takers, including; Sustainable Aviation Fuel producers, Agri-tech and data centres.
BOOKING LINK HERE
ABOUT OUR SPONSORS
Team Defence Information (TD-Info) is a not-for-profit joint UK MOD and Defence Industry Trade Association which works on Defence Support Transformation initiatives. Team Defence Information (TD-Info) members are part of a unique organisation, where the UK Defence Industry and MOD work on continuous improvement activities, engaging for optimal outcomes across the Defence sector. Along with MOD Departments, TD-Info has over 160 industry members. Members range from large Defence manufacturers, Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and various academic organisations.
TD-Info is sponsored by the Defence Industrial Joint Council (DIJC) and the MOD three-star posts of; Chief of Defence Logistics and Support (CDLS), Defence Digital Chief Information Officer and Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) Director General Strategic Enablers and Deputy CEO all of which are within the National Armaments Director’s organisation.
www.teamdefence.info or contact julian.dayment@teamdefence.info
SEC Newgate UK
SEC Newgate UK is a strategic communications and advocacy consultancy, creating positive change through insight, communications and engagement.
With offices in Bristol and Cardiff, our South West and Wales team has a strong track record of supporting clients in the energy, infrastructure and property sectors to engage more effectively with local communities, stakeholders and the media. This includes working with Hinkley Point C for over 18 years on consultation and engagement. We are proud to support Nuclear South West and help showcase the region’s expertise in nuclear energy, engineering, training & skills and the wider supply chain. www.secnewgate.co.uk
Burges Salmon is an independent UK law firm with a leading reputation in the energy, infrastructure and nuclear sectors. The firm advises many of the organisations shaping the UK’s future energy landscape and is a strong supporter of regional growth, innovation and collaboration. Nuclear South West is grateful to Burges Salmon for generously hosting this year’s Winter Conference. www.burges-salmon.com