Institution news
Nuclear engineer Sam Williams IEng MIMechE, who was nominated by the Institution, won the Baroness Platt of Writtle Award for his endeavours while working for EDF Energy at Sizewell B nuclear power station.
Sam worked as a project engineer on the ILW Resin Long Term Processing project team. The innovative technology used in processing the radioactive waste resins had never been deployed before in the UK.
He said: “I was extremely pleased to be nominated for the award and to have my work recognised by both the Institution and Engineers Trust. I felt incredibly proud to have been selected by unanimous decision as the award winner. I particular enjoy working within the nuclear industry and appreciated the opportunity to share my work and experience with the interview panel.”
He explained what drives him as an engineer:
“Sizewell B is the UK’s only pressurised water reactor and I have enjoyed my role in many projects on the station employing new and novel technologies. It is rewarding to be involved throughout the whole project lifecycle, from initial specification to delivery of a fully installed and commissioned system on site. Being able to see first-hand the final engineered products that I’ve worked on being put into service is particularly fulfilling”.
He was nominated by Christian Bloor, Vice Chair for IEng on the Institution’s Professional Review Committee, who said:
“Sam was a clear choice for nomination. He has specialist expertise in safety and risk and an enviable track record of commercial project delivery. In complex projects, he has demonstrated application of new and emerging technologies, some of which are a first in the UK nuclear industry.
“All this, when combined with Sam’s commitment to the profession, his own continuing professional development and a clear passion for coaching others and developing young engineers make him a shining example of a registered IEng and worthy winner of this prestigious award.”
Sam was required to make technical judgements and perform a design authority role during review of proposed designs; he authored the project commissioning strategy and oversaw a team of multidisciplinary personnel. He promotes safety in the workplace through an approachable style of coaching that effectively improves the safety culture on site.
Recently, he mentored a mechanical engineering student who undertook a year’s placement at the power station, and he organised the submission of applications to the Institution for IEng and CEng registration for his peers at EDF and at the neighbouring Magnox site.
Professional engineering institutions may nominate up to five engineers for this award, who achieved professional registration as an Incorporated Engineer in the previous year. Nominees must display outstanding commitment to the engineering profession, possess excellent communications skills and demonstrate strong leadership and management qualities.
The award is named after the late Honorary Liveryman and Court Assistant Emeritus The Baroness Platt of Writtle CBE FREng in recognition of her work in support of the engineering profession in general and Incorporated Engineers in particular.
Sam became professionally registered as an Incorporated Engineer with the Institution in 2016. He is currently the project manager for the Turbine Supervisory Equipment and Turbine Microgovernor and Overspeed Protection replacement projects.