WiN UK relaunches as independent entity

We are celebrating our transition to a stand-alone company by launching this new website as well as a new membership portal as part of our transformation into an independent entity.

Join WiN UK with the option of becoming an ambassador – membership is free and open to all

Formed in 2014 and operating as a network with the Nuclear Institute since 2016, Women in Nuclear UK (WiN UK) has become an important driving force behind improving diversity and inclusion across the nuclear industry.  Becoming a stand-alone company and strengthening our brand is crucial in the promotion and delivery of the Nuclear Sector Deal gender target and the milestones within the Nuclear Gender Roadmap.

Lynsey Valentine, President of WiN UK, commented:

“I’m thrilled to announce the relaunch of Women in Nuclear UK. Building on the solid foundation created by our former President Jack Gritt, and thanks to a great team effort, WiN UK has become a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, continuing to focus on improving gender balance in our industry. All our volunteers are part of this success and growth. Together, we’re making change happen.”

David Peattie, Patron of WiN UK, added:

“Our nuclear industry offers so many fantastic careers for women. WiN UK, as an independent company with its enthusiastic volunteers, is well placed to help more women grasp these opportunities.”

Olivia Thompson, Head of Skills and Development from National Nuclear Laboratories (NNL), added:

“NNL have been delighted to be WiN UK’s official industry sponsor during the year it has become an independent organisation.

“Collaboration across the nuclear sector is vital for achieving gender parity and WiN UK are playing a pivotal role in achieving this.”

Nadhim Zahawi, Minister for Business and Industry, added:

“The UK has world-leading expertise in nuclear energy, and to maintain our position we want to encourage as many women as possible to consider a career in the sector.

”A strengthened, independent Women in Nuclear will be crucial in helping us increase diversity and achieve our Nuclear Sector Deal target of 40% women in the nuclear industry by 2030.”

Whilst WiN UK is rebranding it will maintain a clear focus on its mission which is defined by 3 objectives:

• Attract more women to choose a career in the nuclear sector
• Support retention and career progression of women in the industry
• Promote dialogue with the public about the nuclear industry

WiN UK has established a series of regional teams and developed a forward strategy to meet the 2017 Nuclear Sector Deal’s gender target, namely 40% of the UK nuclear workforce to be female by 2030 (20% in 2020). In December 2019, further gender targets were set out in the Gender Roadmap which was created in partnership with the Nuclear Sector Skills Group (NSSG) with the aim of achieving the following milestones:

• 50% of all those starting apprenticeships to be female by 2021
• 30% of executives to be female by 2030 (currently 13% in 2020)
• 40% of the UK nuclear workforce being female by 2030 (currently 20% in 2020)

Support for Women in Nuclear UK has grown at an impressive rate and now stands at over 1000 members with over 60 companies across the sector signing up to its Industry Charter.

With thanks…

WiN UK is incredibly grateful for the support during transition from:

• NNL, our industry partner, who funded the development of this website
• Pinsent Masons who provided expert legal services
• Moore and Smalley who provided accounting and business advisory services
• Our very own regional teams who continued to provide fantastic online activities to WiN UK members
• Jack Gritt, our former President, who initiated and positioned WiN UK for this change
• Maria Kolodnytska, from EDF, who led the transition project
• Gareth Davies who advised on governance changes
• Linda Aylmore who led financial aspects
• Dan Powney, from NIA, with Caroline Engevi, from Veolia, and Ana Vieitez, from EASL, who coordinated our rebranding
• Zoe Young, from Magnox, and Martyne Simpson, from Atkins, who both support digital communications
• Sarah Beacock, CEO of Nuclear Institute (NI), for continued support from NI to WiN UK