International Women’s Day 2025

In celebration of International Women’s Day, we would like to celebrate the incredible achievements and journey of our Managing Director Tricia Austin, a trailblazer in the nuclear industry. Her story is one of passion, perseverance, and groundbreaking contributions that is a source of inspiration for future generations of women in engineering and technology.

When Tricia was a graduate, fresh from Paisley College of Technology in Scotland, the world was on the brink of monumental shifts. Sizewell B had just been completed, providing power for the national grid, and the Royal Navy had introduced the Vanguard-class submarines to upgrade the UK’s strategic nuclear force. As a Chemical Engineering graduate, Tricia applied for a range of jobs and was invited to an assessment centre at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), where she secured her first role.

Her time at AWE exposed her to remarkable science and engineering, and it was there that she realised the incredible potential of the industry. Over the next few years, she worked on a variety of projects, including gaining hands-on experience in Texas and contributing to the operational safety of Sellafield as an engineering consultant for BNFL. At BNFL, her ability to ask critical questions saved the company millions and highlighted her natural ability to solve complex problems.

Tricia’s career continued to soar when she joined Serco Assurance, taking on leadership roles in both nuclear and non-nuclear projects, from traffic flow validation for the Highways Agency to developing radiation detection vehicles for UK customs. She also played an instrumental role in the creation of the Nuclear Skills Academy (NSAN), an organisation dedicated to shaping the future workforce of the nuclear industry.

Today, as the head of NSAN, Tricia is at the forefront of developing the skills and talent needed to meet the growing demands of the nuclear sector. With the increasing focus on nuclear power to combat climate change, the industry is in urgent need of skilled workers, and Tricia is leading the charge as a driving force behind programmes that are helping to address the shortage of qualified talent and helping to ensure the long-term sustainability of the industry.

This International Women’s Day, we look back at the impact made by Tricia, and many women like her, who are breaking barriers, challenging expectations, and making history in industries across the world.