Central England Branch held its Annual Dinner at the Oxford Spires Four Pillars Hotel on Thursday, 11 October 2018. Over 100 guests attended the dinner. The dinner was hosted by Chairman of the branch, Dr Mehdi Askarieh.
In welcoming guests, Mehdi noted that: “This June, the Government announced a £200m Sector Deal for nuclear, including a £32million boost pegged to kick-start a new manufacturing and R&D programme to develop potentially world-leading nuclear technologies. The deal followed the announcement the Government was to enter into negotiations with Hitachi over the Wylfa Newydd project. The Government said the Sector Deal will spearhead Britain’s move towards cleaner economic growth, while promoting new opportunities in the sector including a focus on innovation to develop the technology and skills needed to maintain the UK’s position as one of the world’s leading nuclear countries. This is certainly an important time for the nuclear sector in the UK as new build projects get under way to replace the current ageing generation.”
The top table guests at the dinner were:
- Vice Admiral Sir Simon Lister, Managing Director of the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, Royal Navy;
- Mr Gareth Davies, Nuclear Issues Lawyer, Burges Salmon;
- Mr Stephen Hall, Engineering Group Leader for JET, UKAEA;
- Giles Hartill, Chief Warhead Engineer, Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston;
- Mr Andrew McIvor, Stakeholder Engagement Manager, the Nuclear Institute;
- Mr Stephen Sanders, Strategic Director for Remote Operations, Veolia Nuclear Solutions.
After dinner and the traditional toasts to The Queen, the Royal Navy and the Nuclear Institute, Andrew McIvor gave a short talk on the Nuclear Institute’s work with industry partners and summarised the advances that the NI has made in attracting new members to the institute through its Company Membership Scheme.
The main after-dinner speaker was Vice Admiral Sir Simon Lister. Simon joined the Royal Navy in 1978, trained as a nuclear engineer and took operational engineering roles in submarine Valiant, Odin, Trenchant and Torbay. In May 2017, Simon was appointed as interim head of the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) and given the title of Chief of Materiel (Submarines). Simon was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in the 2017 Birthday Honours.
Simon gave his observations and reflections on centrality of nuclear power to National Security and Defence of the Realm.
As usual, there was a charity raffle which raised more than £2000. This year’s chosen charities were The Order of St. John Care Trust (Longlands Minibus Appeal) and Kennington Memory Club. Longlands provides care for older people and adults with dementia or a physical disability. Residents are supported in the pursuit of an active lifestyle and their personal interests while benefitting from a care philosophy that prioritises dignity and independence alongside health, safety and security. Kennington Memory Club provides a place where people with a diagnosis of dementia can meet for company and to undertake interesting activities suited to their individual needs while in a safe, friendly and supportive environment. The club provides support, advice and comradeship to those with dementia and their families.
This dinner, like all other regional Nuclear Institute dinners, relies on support from client and supply chain organisations. Mehdi expressed the thanks of the committee to all table hosts. Their support provides much needed funds to enable the Nuclear Institute to fulfil its objectives at Branch level. Special thanks were accorded to Nuvia and Veolia Nuclear Solutions for being our Sponsors this year.
Thanks also went to Central England Branch Committee members and to the Nuclear Institute staff, in particular, Alison Hunt at the NI Central Office, who had invested a considerable amount of effort in organising this event.