YGN Committee 2024

Sarah D'Lima

NI YGN Chair | Service Delivery Coordinator, Nuclear Waste Services

Sarah is a Service Delivery Coordinator at Nuclear Waste Services where her work focuses on delivering waste management and disposal services across the UK Nuclear Industry, particularly decommissioning sites. Sarah works closely with the NDA estate and wider supply chain to deliver services such as treatment, conditioning and disposal.

Prior to this, she worked at Magnox Ltd at Harwell as a Waste Engineer having started her career on the nucleargraduate programme in 2017. Here she undertook secondments as an Environmental Advisor at Sizewell A and supported in a technical role at BEIS in Civil Nuclear and Resilience.

Sarah has been an active volunteer with the YGN since 2019 as a then ‘Company Rep’ for Magnox before taking a role on the YGN/NDA Industry Partner Steering Committee. She was part of the group which created the Chain Reaction Series – creating STEM-based content and videos for 11–16-year-olds during the lockdown. Sarah joined the YGN committee in September 2021 as Industry Liaison Lead and for 2023 will take on Chair, supporting the committee in delivering the YGN’s strategic objectives.

Contact: chair.ygn@nuclearinst.com 

Craig Pilkington

Vice Chair | Senior Mechanical Engineer, Assystem

Craig works as a Senior Mechanical Engineer for Assystem in which he is working on the design of the Rolls Royce Small Modular Reactor. Primarily focused on Cooling Water Island, he is developing the base design as the SMR goes through the Great British Nuclear selection process. He believes the use of SMR technology is a crucial component in the UK’s Net Zero Strategy. 

Before this, Craig worked at Ansaldo in the bespoke design and manufacture of specialise nuclear equipment, machinery and structures. Craig completed his graduate scheme here and became chartered through the Institute of Mechanical Engineers.

Craig began volunteering for the YGN in 2020 acting as a YGN company catalyst and judging the UK speaking competition final. In 2020 he took on the delivery of two ‘Intro To..’ events, and after the successful delivery of these events, he was appointed ‘Intro To..’ Lead for 2022 and subsequently 2023. He delivered a broad range of Intro to's over this time with site tours, seminars and networking dinners, working alongside the dedicated ‘Intro to’ delivery team. In 2024, Craig will move into the role of Vice Chair and is looking forward to delivering the wide range of events the YGN has to offer and promoting the YGN’s mission. 

Martin Donohue

Vice Chair | Climate Change Adaptation Strategist, EDF

Martin currently works within the EDF Climate Change Adaptation Programme, tasked with developing and enhancing the resilience of the existing and newly built nuclear fleet against the impacts of climate change. He has previously been involved in a range of safety case-related programmes in a technical leadership capacity while working within the Design Authority for Sizewell B.

Martin has been involved in the Nuclear Institute since 2018, fulfilling various roles over that time within the Western branch and YGN. Last year, Martin was the Communications Lead for the YGN and represented the YGN at Nuclear Week in Parliament, the World Nuclear Symposium and the French Embassy in London. Martin is also an active member of the NI Policy Committee.

He is a passionate advocate for nuclear energy as a crucial part of an affordable, clean and secure energy system, as well as the significantly wider socioeconomic benefits it can deliver. In 2021, Martin attended COP26 with the YGN and the #NetZeroNeedsNuclear campaign.

As Vice Chair for 2024, Martin is looking forward to supporting the committee in achieving our strategic objectives and continuing to increase collaboration across the wider sector, in what is a very exciting time for nuclear energy.

Lucy Humphreys

Sponsorship & Sales Lead | Radioactive Waste Consultant, Mott MacDonald

Lucy is a Radioactive Waste Consultant at Mott MacDonald with 3 years of experience in the industry. Her current role focuses on early engagement in decommissioning projects to identify potential solutions, organise broader technical input, project management and produce final deliverables. Before this, Lucy worked for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority within the Risk and Assurance team, managing internal projects and initiatives. 

During her time at NDA, Lucy supported the YGN/NDA Industrial Partnership and is passionate about encouraging and supporting young people across the nuclear sector. This is her first year supporting the committee and she is looking forward to showcasing the activities, voice and role of the YGN through her role as Sponsorship Lead. 

Contact: sponsorship.ygn@nuclearinst.com

Kevin Smith 

Finance Lead | Project Engineer, Risktec Solutions Ltd

Kevin is a recent addition to the nuclear industry having previously worked as a Relationship Manager in the finance sector. He decided to revisit his studies alongside work to complete the NTEC MSc in Nuclear Science and Technology, graduating with a 1st after completing a project to assess the viability of utilising Artificial Intelligence in Nuclear Safety Cases.

Kevin was the Finance Lead for the YGN committee for 2023 and will continue in his role for 2024. His role with Risktec Solutions Ltd as a Project Engineer allows him to utilise his skills and experience in various projects across the nuclear industry, currently working on criticality safety and keen to develop his expertise in this area further.

Lauren McIntyre

Secretary of Operations | Nuclear Safety Consultant, Abbott Risk Consulting

Lauren is a Nuclear Safety Consultant at Abbott Risk Consulting working with a variety of clients on safety case development and decommissioning projects. Prior to this, Lauren started her career at Babcock International, working as a Nuclear Safety Case Engineer for 18 months.

Lauren has been an active volunteer with the YGN since joining Abbott Risk Consulting in 2023. She also coordinated the YGN’s interactive stand at New Scientist Live, where 23,000 people engaged with STEM subjects and opportunities in Nuclear. The event provided invaluable volunteering opportunities for members to network, enhance their communication skills and showcase various routes into our industry.

This is Lauren’s first year as part of the YGN Committee and is excited to get more involved in all the YGN events throughout 2024. She aims to promote the nuclear industry, inspire future generations and break down the stigma associated with the sector. 

Maddie Knight

 Membership Development & Retention Lead | Tritium Technology Team Leader, UKAEA

Maddie is a Tritium Research Group Lead at UKAEA, working in the Tritium Fuel Cycle Division where she has commissioned systems in the Tritium Processing Plant and subsequently led tritium-deuterium operations during the DTE2 and DTE3 campaigns, where UKAEA beat world records for achieving fusion power. Maddie now leads a group of scientists and engineers, as well as projects in tritium research, investigating the behaviour and interactions of tritium and improving our understanding of the isotope for use as fusion fuel.

Maddie graduated in 2015 with a master's degree in chemistry from the University of Manchester. Following this, Maddie joined the Nuclear Graduate scheme with placements at Sellafield Ltd, ONR, NNL and UKAEA, which she joined permanently in 2017.

Maddie has been involved in the YGN since 2018, volunteering as the Technical Tour Lead as well as spending a year on the Central England Branch committee as YGN Rep. In 2023, Maddie took up the role of Membership, Development & Retention Lead and has been re-elected into this role for 2024.

Contact: membership.ygn@nuclearinst.com

Lacey-Jo Marsland

 Education, Attraction & Outreach Lead | Assistant Safety Engineer, AtkinsRéalis

Lacey is an Assistant Safety Engineer within the Nuclear & Power Business at AtkinsRéalis. In this role, she supports clients across the defence and civil sectors in a range of Nuclear Safety Case activities. Prior to this role, Lacey completed the AWE Safety Assessment Specialist Graduate Scheme where she gained experience in safety assessment techniques such as Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Probabilistic Safety Analysis (PSA). 

During her time at AWE, Lacey also achieved the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety and supported AWE’s Equity, Diversity & Inclusion groups as Co Chair of AWEPride.

Lacey has been an active volunteer of the YGN since the start of 2022, and has been the Education, Attraction and Outreach Lead since January 2023. In this role, Lacey has worked to improve YGN engagement with Apprentices and University Students, undertaking outreach events and leading an Apprentice Survey. Additionally, Lacey oversaw YGN attendance at New Scientist Live 2023 and is the Secretary for the Nuclear Institute Outreach Committee.

Camila Arce Derpic

ED&I Lead | Business & Integration Architecture Analyst, Accenture

Camila is a Business and Integration Architecture Analyst at Accenture, focusing on the Nuclear Area and having joined the company in June 2022. Prior to this, she worked as a General Coordinator for a Canadian-based mining company, contributing towards projects focused on economic growth and development following CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) principles. 

Camila obtained her BA in Economics from Waseda University (Tokyo- Japan) and her MSc in Business with International Mgmt. from Northumbria University (LondonUK) with Distinction. Camila has experience with agile frameworks, analytics, project management and mentoring techniques, business analysis, and actively working in coordination/delivery projects.

She found her passion to contribute to the Nuclear Sector by initiating her career path under different Nuclear-focused projects in Accenture, understanding the importance of how technology combined with great minds can merge and contribute towards the growth of such a promising and exciting Industry. 

Camila, by living, studying, and working in different countries, has had the opportunity to share and learn from people with different backgrounds, cultures, and ideas, understanding the importance of becoming the bridge between all members of our society. This has led her to become the first ED&I lead in the YGN and part of the NI ED&I Board, focused on promoting respect, equality, diversity, and inclusion throughout every activity in our network.

Shorubhi Uthayakumaran 

Marketing & Communications Lead | Materials Engineer, Jacobs

Shorubhi is a Materials Engineer working in the Defence sector at Jacobs. She began her career as part of the graduate scheme in the Decommissioning sector. Across both sectors, she has participated in various programs to broaden her skillset and knowledge in the nuclear industry.

Since joining Jacobs over 2 years ago, she has developed a keen interest in the nuclear industry. She believes that nuclear energy is a key component of a sustainable future and intends to continue promoting the ‘#NetZeroNeedsNuclear’ campaign. Additionally, she aims to raise awareness of early career opportunities within the nuclear industry and share people’s career stories.

This marks Shorubhi’s first year of involvement with the YGN committee. She looks forward to utilising her role as the Marketing & Communications Lead to contribute to YGN’s aims.

Contact: comms.ygn@nuclearinst.com 

Lucy Reynolds

Intro to Series Lead | Project Manager, Jacobs

Lucy is a Project Manager with Jacobs. In her role she works on waste management and construction projects in the defence sector. Prior to this see worked for National Nuclear Laboratory as a microscopist in the Metallography and Post Irradiation Examination team, focusing on Rolls Royce reactors. 

Lucy joined the nuclear industry in 2020 fresh from a PhD in cobalt-based superalloy development for Rolls Royce gas turbine engines at Imperial College. She got involved with the YGN after taking part in the ‘Becoming Me’ course and this is her first year on the YGN committee.

Contact: events.ygn@nuclearinst.com

Jordan Hall

International Liaison Lead | Systems & Safety Consultant, Capgemini

Jordan is a Systems & Safety Consultant at Capgemini Engineering where his work focuses on delivering safety analysis and systems engineering, supporting business transformations through digital technologies, across the UK nuclear and rail sectors. Jordan has over seven years’ experience in the civil and defence nuclear industry and worked in radiological / nuclear emergency facility design, regulatory compliance and equipment reliability roles before moving to Capgemini Engineering in September 2022.

Jordan has been an active volunteer with the YGN since early 2022, as a member of the International Liaison sub-committee, where he led on organisation of the European Nuclear Society YGN’s Core Committee Meeting in Manchester and the UK YGN International Visit to Canada, to visit the Chalk River Laboratories and meet with the Canadian government, Canadian Nuclear Association and SMR vendors.

Chris Unsworth

Industry Liaison Lead | Mechanical Engineer, Assystem

Chris is a Mechanical Engineer at Assystem and has had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects since graduating in 2020. This has included the Rolls-Royce SMR Project, Hinkley Point C and Devonport Royal Dockyard.

He sees Nuclear as a vital component of the energy mix that will be required to achieve Net Zero. Chris is also inspired by the growth trajectory of Nuclear over recent years and is excited by the diverse range of opportunities on offer which make the industry a great place to spend your career.

After attending the YGN ‘Intro to Waste Management and Decommissioning’ event in 2022, Chris got involved with the YGN in 2023 as the Company Catalyst Lead as part of the Industry Liaison sub-committee. Taking the next step into the Industry Liaison Lead role he is looking forward to having a larger impact on the YGN, working with the YGNs Industry Partner, the NDA, and continuing to develop the Company Catalyst Scheme.

Contact: industry.ygn@nuclearinst.com 

Carwyn Chamberlain

2023 Chair | Senior Consultant, DBD International

Carwyn is a Lead Consultant at DBD International. In this role, Carwyn has led the development of Operational Research models for numerous waste management projects and programmes across the NDA estate in the UK, with clients operating in DoE estates in the USA and for OPG in Canada. Carwyn has delivered a number of strategic studies in both waste and new technologies both in the UK and US markets.