Top industry award for EDF Energy young professional

Bristol-based nuclear specialist Pete Bryant has scooped the top honour at Energy UK’s 2018 Young Energy Professionals Awards.

The presentation of the ‘Young Energy Professional of the Year’ award was made at London’s Hilton Bankside Hotel on 27 April in front of over 200 guests gathered to celebrate success across the energy industry.

Pete is a Decommissioning and Radiological Assessment Specialist for EDF Energy on the Hinkley Point C project. He works at the project’s Delivery Command Centre in the Finzels Reach area of the city, which is home to around 700 of the team supporting construction of the new nuclear power station.

Hinkley Point C is set to provide around 25,000 job opportunities during the build and the supply chain being created to help its delivery is attracting a number of companies to increase their presence in the region, including opening new offices in Bristol.

Pete’s job involves providing technical advice on a wide range of issues including the environment, emergency preparedness, nuclear safety and security. The 30-year old is also President Elect of the UK Chartered Society for Radiological Protection as well as an Honorary Lecturer at both Surrey and Liverpool Universities.

Pete described himself as truly honoured to receive the award, saying: “It was a fantastic awards ceremony and amazing to see some of the great work being undertaken by young professionals within the wider energy sector. There are many challenges ahead in tackling low-carbon energy generation and the work we do at EDF Energy is key to drive this forward.”

Hinkley Point C’s Natalia Skwierawska, who works as the Generic Design Assessment Findings Lead, was the winner in the ‘Engineer Focus’ section.

Natalia, who was delighted and honoured to have even been shortlisted, said: “It was an incredible moment to receive the award in the presence of so many energy industry leaders and professionals across the country. It is a real privilege to have been nominated by my colleagues within the Hinkley Point C team. I am so happy to be a part of an organisation where recognition of hard work and efforts is one of the core values.”

EDF Energy nominees were also presented with the ‘Innovation Focus’ and ‘Team of the Year’ awards.

Paul Spence, EDF Energy’s Director of Strategy and Corporate Affairs, added: “In the four years that Energy UK have run the Awards, we have been the energy company with the most finalists and winners. This is testament to the strength and breadth of our activities and the talent of our people.”