Dame Sue Ion, is an independent expert and advisor on nuclear power.
Sue initially started life in Carlisle before moving to Preston at the age of eight. Sue went to Penwortham Girls Grammar School where she enjoyed the science subjects and learnt things that weren’t in the syllabus in the science club. Her chemistry teacher introduced her to materials science, a mixture of physics and chemistry which explained while materials failed. Following this inspiration, it encouraged Sue to go to Imperial College, in London to study Materials Science.
Sue found Imperial College a very different environment from an all-girls school to a mainly male environment and from being the top of a class to be with other very clever people. Sue stayed on to do a PhD. as she’d had a very supportive supervisor and knew all the technicians so realised this would help her complete her studies within three years.
After university Sue went on to work for BNFL as a Technical Officer in the chemical engineering at Springfields. From here, Sue went to Sizewell B in the sales and marketing department to bid for fuel commercially before moving back to Springfields as their Head of Research and Development. In 1992, Sue was successful in being promoted to Executive Director of Technology. Sue is now a high-profile, independent advisor in nuclear providing expert advice.
Sue is a passionate advocate of women in science and engineering. She is strong supporter of increasing diversity of the nuclear workforce featured in the Nuclear Industry Strategy.
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
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