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Engineering company capitalises on ‘huge’ nuclear opportunities in South West

A smart shift in focus to capitalise on nuclear industry growth has boosted business and increased exposure for a South West-based engineering company.

Nuclear sector growth across the region has seen SC Innovation, a specialist engineering company, secure work on new projects, win new clients and create jobs. The company has recently completed tests on water filtration and cooling systems which will be used at Hinkley Point C nuclear power station and provided engineering advisory support for the construction of the jetty which is under construction at the site.

The company, who are based in Devon, have been supported in their nuclear business drive by the Hinkley Supply Chain team, which works with contractors to connect local companies with the opportunities linked to the new power station.

Stuart Ship, Sector Lead for Special Projects at SC Innovation, will share details of how his company is benefitting from working in the sector at Nuclear South West’s Annual Conference in Bristol on 19 September.

“Focusing on nuclear has given us great exposure to new work in the South West, as well as new markets in Scotland, the North West and overseas,” said Mr Ship.

“When the nuclear island starts being built at Hinkley Point C we will see an influx of highly skilled people coming to work in the region.

“The big drive is to bring people down here and show them that the South West has so much to offer professionally, as well as an excellent lifestyle.”

The Nuclear South West Annual Conference will kick off with a keynote speech from former Business Secretary Lord Hutton, who is Chair of the Nuclear Industry Association and Nuclear Industry Council. Lord Hutton’s address will detail how the nuclear sector deal is positively impacting the growth of the UK industry.

The event, delivered by Nuclear South West and supported by South West Nuclear Hub, takes place at The Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel in Broad St, on September 19. This year’s conference will focus on collaboration in the industry and important international links.

A report commissioned by Nuclear South West recently revealed that the region is ideally placed to capitalise on economic opportunities worth £50bn to the UK economy. The research states that South West-based SMEs, large companies and training providers could supply £15bn worth of work to the nuclear sector.

Industry leaders will give updates on these opportunities and attendees will have the opportunity to find out more about important openings in the sector.

Ian Truman, from Burges Salmon, will share his expertise on Brexit and Exiting Euratom, EDF’s head of stakeholder engagement David Eccles will provide an update on the Hinkley Point C project and David Ralph, CEO of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, will speak on the picture in the South West region.

French company Nucleopolis will lead a business match-making session for companies interested in export and investment. This follows the recent signing of an agreement between Nucleopolis and Nuclear South West, which aims to create jobs, unlock opportunities and attract new investment to both regions.

“We have a stellar line up of speakers for our conference this year, and I am sure those who attend will be offered a unique chance to find out how the huge opportunities in the South West region, and UK wide, can help boost business,” said Matt Burley – Chair of Nuclear South West.

“Crucial updates will be heard on the nuclear industry in the UK and the legacy of Hinkley Point C and we will be hearing from people who are at the heart of our growth story in the South West.”

Nuclear South West aims to establish further opportunities to build links with clusters in countries including Canada, Japan and South Africa.

About Nuclear South West

Nuclear South West is a partnership of industry, academic and public sector, set up to champion the South West nuclear industry as the premier destination for investment, innovation and growth.

It is established and supported by the Heart of the South West, West of England and GFirst LEPs, with involvement from public sector and strategic organisations.

Research has shown that there are £50bn worth of opportunities in the nuclear industry within 75 miles of the South West region. The region has the expertise, ambition and vision – as well as a critical mass of thriving businesses – to act as a catalyst to drive economic productivity within the nuclear sector.

Hinkley Point C, the first new nuclear power station in the UK for a generation, will create 25,000 job opportunities, 1,000 apprenticeships and will pump £100m/year in to the regional economy. The South West is also home to the Oldbury nuclear reactors in Gloucestershire, the South West Nuclear Research Hub – a partnership between Bristol and Oxford Universities, the National College for Nuclear, the Somerset Energy Innovation Centre and the Berkeley Green University Technical College.

More information can be found at www.nuclearsouthwest.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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      David Ralph

      Chief Executive

      David Ralph started as Chief Executive of Heart of South West LEP at the beginning of June 2018. Previously, he had spent 5 years as CEO of the Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire (D2N2) LEP from 2013 where he oversaw the development of the D2N2 Strategic Economic Plan and sector strategies, 3 Growth Deals with HM Government to deliver a £1billion capital investment programme, securing and implementing £200m ESIF programme, the Derby and Nottingham Enterprise Zone, the D2N2 Skills Deal and Time for Innovation programme, community fund and led the executive team to develop the HS2 East Midlands hub. He was also closely involved in the proposed North Midlands Devolution Deal and one of the key architects in establishing the Midlands Engine, chairing the officer steering group. Whilst in this role David was a NED of the Nottingham Enterprise Zone, and Marketing NG, the Outer Estates Foundation and a Governor of Nottingham College and on the advisory Board of Nottingham Business School.

      Before the East Midlands, David was CEO of the Have Gateway Partnership working closely with local stakeholders including the ports of Felixstowe, Harwich and Ipswich and BT Adadastral Park across Suffolk and Essex and prior to that was Chief Exec of the Barton Hill New Deal for Communities programme in Bristol and the Nelm Development Trust in Norwich.

      David is a keen sailor, walker and trail runner.