Gwen Parry-Jones is Chief Executive of Magnox Ltd and President of the Nuclear Institute. Gwen was awarded an OBE in 2019 for services to science and technology.
Gwen lives on the island of Anglesey in North Wales near Wylfa power station. She also has a passion for horses.
She grew up in North Wales and also in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia as her dad went to work there. After a few years of living abroad, she came back home to a boarding school in North Wales which gave her, her independence. Her head teacher, Mr Peacock, was a huge influence and taught her about the importance of every individual having a view and requiring respect.
She went to college in Colwyn Bay and then moved to Manchester to read Physics joining the physics undergraduate population – she liked the uniqueness of there not being many female students. She also enjoyed the Manchester city lifestyle.
Gwen then went on to do banking and finance in Bangor at a master’s level. Following this, Gwen joined the Central Electricity Generating Board at Magnox Wylfa as a reactor physicist. When she first started as a nuclear operator, there were no female changing rooms, toilets or work clothes!
Gwen successfully developed her career within the nuclear industry to become the first female station director of Heysham 1 – an achievement she still feels very privileged to have done to this day.
The turning point in Gwen’s career is when she stopped trying to do everything herself and realised it was okay not to know everything and she believes you really start adding value when you start talking about what you think.
For more information visit: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/gwen-parry-jones-b489a594
We’re emotional beings who think - Gary Hosey
If you don’t ask, you don’t get - Gemma Muckle
Be agile and adjust - Giorgio Locatelli
It’s a bit like food… don’t eat what you don’t enjoy - Adrian Bull
What advice would you give your younger self? Episode three
What advice would you give your younger self? Episode two
What advice would you give your younger self? Episode one
You need to savour and appreciate the journey that you go on! Tom Scott, Professor of Materials, Bristol University
You have to have the confidence to try things out. Sarah Beacock, CEO, Nuclear Institute.
Lead by example and be prepared to do anything that you expect your team to do! Jean Llewellyn, Non-executive Director, ONR and the World Institute for Nuclear Security
We all have our own struggles, weaknesses and doubts. Stacy Snook, Insider Threat Mitigation, Sellafield Ltd
Grasp every opportunity that comes along with both hands, give it 100% and be wholehearted. Claire Flint, Senior Independent Director
Try to find that correlation in everything you do. Jon Salthouse, Content Director, Owl Live
Innovation is all about trying something new that creates value, it doesn‘t need to be new to the world, it just has to be new to you. Sara Huntingdon, Head of Innovation, NDA
It‘s okay not to have a plan, just going with the flow is alright! Being adaptable and applying your skills to different environments is key. Beccy Pleasant, Head of Nuclear Skills, NSSG
Be the best you can be, and give people the realisation that there are opportunities out there for them. Rebecca Weston, COO, Sellafield Ltd
If you want to get something in life, then you‘ve got to set your mind to achieving it. Tom Samson, CEO, Rolls-Royce SMR Consortium
Life can only be understood backwards but must be lived forwards. Melanie Brownridge, Technology and Innovation Director, NDA
Always pursue things you are interested in, because if you're not interested, you'll not do very well. Dr Tim Stone CBE, Chairman, Nuclear Industry Association and Nuclear Risk Insurers
The best advice I would give someone is to seek guidance and counsel. Georgina Hines, Policy Analyst, Nuclear Industry Association
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Commercial Edge: Unleash the Power of People
The emPOWERed Half Hour
Reaching your Goals
Insights@work
The Ken Coleman Show
Business Dad
The Cardone Zone