2026 NI YGN Committee

Lacey is a Safety Engineer at AtkinsRealis, supporting a variety of different projects for clients across the nuclear industry.  Throughout her career to date, Lacey has also co-authored papers around Nuclear Power Generation and UK Energy Security and Implementing Autonomy in Nuclear Robotics.

Lacey was the YGN Education, Attraction & Outreach Lead for 2023 and 2024. In this role, she was able to channel her passion to highlight the range of incredible opportunities available within the nuclear industry and within the YGN. Most notably, she oversaw the YGN Apprentice Competition (2024) and attendance at New Scientist Live (2023 and 2024).

In 2025, Lacey was one of the YGN Vice Chairs. She is looking forward to taking this next step in her professional development journey and is excited to see what 2026 will bring for the YGN!

Contact: chair.ygn@nuclearinst.com 

I work at Nuclear Waste Services as a Site Evaluation Technical Support to the UK’s Geological Disposal Facility programme- I'm proud to be able to contribute towards finding a final site for the safe and secure disposal of the UK's radioactive waste. Last year i was the International Liaison lead for the YGN and I absolutely loved working with other nuclear societies around the world to enhance and create opportunities for cross-border collaboration, whilst delivering some great opportunities for our members here in the UK. As I take on the Vice Chair role, I'm looking forward to developing my strategic management skills and helping guide the YGN towards a successful future.

Evie is a Project Support at Sellafield Ltd based in project delivery within Retrivals value stream.

Evie has been volunteering for the NI/YGN for around 5 years contributing to the organisation of Intro to events, the annual speaking competition, the NI Cumbria Dinner and being the YGN representative on the NI Cumbria Branch. Evie was the Sponsorship & Sales Lead on the YGN Committee for 2024 and saw a series of events take place and support a breadth of the YGN’s activities including the YGN Annual Seminar and Dinner and the international trip.

Evie was 2025 Intro to Series Lead after supporting the Intro to waste management and decommissioning for several years. 

I’m Ollie, the incoming International Liaison Lead for 2026! I’m a systems design engineer at Rolls-Royce with four years’ experience in the nuclear industry.

I’ve spent the past two years on the International Subcommittee, contributing to key initiatives including organising international webinars, expanding the UK Innovate 4 Nuclear competition, and representing the UK at global conferences and European Nuclear Society (ENS) meetings.

The highlight of my time so far has been seeing how the YGN brings together people from across a diverse sector to collaborate in ways they otherwise might not. I’m really excited to step into the lead role for 2026 and build on that collaboration—both across the UK and internationally—through events like the International Youth Nuclear Congress 2026 and by welcoming other European nations to the UK for the ENS Core Committee meeting in June.

George is the upcoming Sponsorship & Finance Lead and has been involved with YGN since 2023 as member of the International Liaison Sub-Committee. He is an EC&I Engineer for Assystem seconded into the Defence and Decomissioning Business Unit. During his time with YGN he has leaded a number of initiatives and activites such as the 2025 International Trip to Finland and various bids for international events. For the upcoming role he is looking forward to implement the financial management experience he gained during the organisation of previous YGN events as well as creating a dedicated sub-committee. The main goal of 2026 Finance Committee is to ensure that the YGN Budget is used as efficiently as possible, helping the YGN continue having a positive impact across the nuclear sector.

Contact: finance.ygn@nuclearinst.com

I work as a Decommissioning and Dismantling Engineer and Orano Limited, providing technical support across projects and contributing to business development initiatives.
I've been involved with the YGN since 2024 and continue as Marketing & Communications Lead for 2026, having started in this role in 2025. Last year, my team and I revitalised the YGN TikTok, launched the YGN Engines Series to showcase subcommittee volunteers, and relaunched the Chain Reaction STEAM Series in collaboration with the Education, Attraction and Outreach team.
This year, I plan to build on these initiatives, further develop the STEAM Series, and encourage more young professionals to join the YGN network and attend our events. I'm excited to continue promoting the YGN's work, sharing the opportunities available, and supporting our generation of nuclear professionals.

Contact: comms.ygn@nuclearinst.com 

Hi, I'm Alanna, back for another year of leading Inclusion! Last year we focused on building the role, including but not limited to designing a new sub-committee, launching a monthly communications plan and helping the NI and YGN sign up to the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme. So where do we go from there? This year I am looking to take YGN Inclusion to business as usual, with another year of great monthly communications posts, quarterly webinars and assisting the committee with any and all inclusion discussions with other events. Outside of the YGN, I am the co-founder of Enable Nuclear and a Senior Quality Auditor at AWE as well as a Community Manager within the Tetris eSports Community.

Contact: edi.ygn@nuclearinst.com

I am a Mechanical Engineer specialising in Nuclear MEP Systems Design at Mott MacDonald. Over the last four years, I’ve gained experience in both consultancy and contracting, managing large procurement packages, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and delivering detailed technical reviews to keep projects on track. I’m excited to take on the Secretary of Operations role for the YGN, where I’ll be focused on ensuring smooth committee operations, clear communication, and strong coordination throughout the year. Having previously coordinated graduate development initiatives, hosted presentations, and helped lead a team of over 100 students on an international platform, I’m passionate about supporting early-career professionals and the exciting ventures ahead for the institute. I’m looking forward to retaining the structure, reliability, and enthusiasm within the committee, and helping the YGN continue building momentum and impact across the nuclear industry.

I am a Technical Advisor at Sellafield Ltd, contributing to a range of innovative projects including robotic obsolescence and Condition Monitoring & Inspection Technologies. Alongside my technical role, I’ve been an active volunteer with the YGN for over four years, supporting key initiatives such as speaking competitions and the “Intro to” event series. In 2025, I proudly served as Industry Lead and am excited to continue in this role into 2026. One of my main focuses is strengthening our collaboration with our newest Company Partner, GBE-N, and expanding our Company Catalyst network to foster deeper industry engagement. I’m passionate about driving forward opportunities for early-career professionals and helping shape the future of the nuclear sector through innovation, connection, and knowledge sharing.

Contact: industry.ygn@nuclearinst.com 

I am Ellis Matthews, this year's new Education, Attraction, and Outreach Lead, taking over from Hannah Lamont, who previously held this role. I am an EC&I Engineer at Assystem, embedded in the Sellafield Decommissioning project, and this year I am very excited to lead the YGN Outreach Team. After spending eight years in the energy sector, the need for nuclear energy has never been more apparent. I am proud to be in this role, where I can share the journeys, stories, and projects that highlight the importance of nuclear energy and our work. 

This year, I will be continuing the projects and ambitions that Hannah established in this role, while also presenting more opportunities for our volunteers to participate and promote their passions as we collaborate within the YGN.

I'm Pravin, and I work in decommissioning and waste strategy at AtkinsRéalis. YGN has always been the place where I felt I could ask real questions, meet people who genuinely care, and learn without pressure. The feeling of openness is something I really want to pass on. Stepping into the Intro to...Series Lead role for 2026, my goal is very clear: to make the nuclear industry feel understandable, approachable, and exciting for anyone coming in, no matter what their background or starting point is.  What I want to bring in is simple: A welcoming atmosphere (to our industry), Sessions that actually makes sense - breaking down big complex topics like New Build, SMRs, Decommissioning, Fusion etc. without losing depth, and traction to our ever-growing community. If someone leaves an Intro to..session thinking, "That clicked. I get it now. Maybe this could be my place," that's the impact I want the YGN to have! 

Latham is a process engineer at Rolls-Royce working on a range of programmes. Prior to this, Latham has completed a variety of roles in the company, start on the Rolls-Royce engineering graduate scheme, then working as a data scientist to a technical assistant role for the company directors.

Latham has been active in mentoring the younger generation within his company and externally. He aims to promote the nuclear industry and inspire future generations.

Latham has been the Secretary of Operations in 2025 and is looking forward to being Improvements Lead in 2026, which is a new committee position for the YGN. Latham will be looking at how the YGN operates, identifying where improvements can be made, before going on to implement these. One aim of these activities will be to ensure that the time spent by our dedicated volunteers is used as effectively and efficiently as possible, allowing the YGN to achieve more!

Tom is a process engineer with Amentum where I predominantly work on EDFs generating stations.

This year I will be leading the YGNs Membership, Retention & Development team. I intend to build on the success of last year and keep improving the YGN, these improvements include a bigger in person speaking competition and harder to obtain technical tours at places like BAE or Camell Laird shipyards. But this is just a start and I am looking forward to working with all the committee next year both new and old to ensure that the YGN is the best it can possibly be.

Contact: membership.ygn@nuclearinst.com

Craig works as a Senior Mechanical Engineer for Assystem, working full time on the concept design of the Rolls Royce Small Modular Reactor. He believes the use of SMR technology is a crucial component in the UK’s Net Zero Strategy and accelerating the energy transition throughout the world.

Craig has now been an active volunteer for over six years and been involved in a wide variety of YGN events and activities throughout that time. He believes the YGN can provide the community to collaborate and inspire the next generation of the nuclear sector and give opportunities to all in the sector.