AWE hosts its first Nuclear Safety Conference

In late 2025, the Government published the Nuclear Regulatory Review, a landmark report described by the Prime Minister as “establishing a clear and ambitious course to renew our nuclear sector, to accelerate the safe, secure, and affordable delivery of nuclear projects across civil, defence, and decommissioning”. 

AWE is embracing the review as a generational opportunity. As the organisation develops and grows to meet the needs of our customers, we need to transform the way we operate and that includes our approach to nuclear safety, setting us up for successful, safe delivery of our mission. 

Starting the next chapter in Nuclear Safety  

To begin this work, AWE hosted a Nuclear Safety Conference, bringing together experts, leaders and specialists from across the sector.   

The agenda featured a series of presentations from leading industry figures including: 

• Dame Sue Ion, member of the Government Regulatory review taskforce and co-author of the report 

• Kirsty Armer, AWE Non-Executive Director and Chair of Safety, Sustainability and Quality Committee  

• Dan Hasted, Director or Regulation, from ONR 

The event marks an important milestone in our response to the Nuclear Regulatory Review. 

Commenting on the conference Dominic Jones said: 

“The Nuclear Safety Conference marks a pivotal moment for us in our history. We organised this event in direct response to the Government’s Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce Review, which set a clear strategic direction for the sector, calling for simplification, proportionality, reduced duplication, and a renewed focus on enabling safe, efficient delivery. The conference was designed to help us understand that challenge, align behind it, and begin shaping how AWE will respond as part of this wider national effort with endorsement from UK Government.  

Ian Rogers explained how the conference was a catalyst for the change: 

“It has given everyone involved in nuclear safety at AWE (and wider industry) a fantastic opportunity to challenge long established ways of working and enable us all to deliver a challenging programme cost effectively and at increased pace. While the conference served as the catalyst, the real work begins now.” 

Sam Laidlaw, AWE Chairman said: 

“The Nuclear Safety Conference demonstrated that whilst Safety is, and must always remain, the most important part of everything we do. 

 “The conversations that took place reinforced that when we collaborate, we are at our strongest in delivering the high standards required of a modern nuclear enterprise. Together, we are building an approach to nuclear safety that is clearer, more proportionate, and better aligned to the needs of the future.”