Nuclear pioneer Dr Fiona Rayment OBE FREng FRSE, President of the Nuclear Institute, has received one of the Royal Academy of Engineering’s highest accolades, the Sir Frank Whittle Medal, in recognition of her engineering leadership and technical expertise in the nuclear sector.
The Sir Frank Whittle Medal is named after Britain’s jet engine genius – and one of the Academy’s Founder Fellows. It is awarded annually to a UK-based engineer whose outstanding and sustained achievements have had a profound impact on their engineering discipline.
Dr Rayment is internationally renowned for her work over three decades, leading fundamental innovation and acting a senior policy adviser at both national and international level. She has also played a key role in the Academy’s ongoing collaboration with the National Academy of Engineering Korea on clean energy.
As Chief Science and Technology Officer at the UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory, she developed new systems to solve nuclear waste problems, including accident-tolerant fuels. Through her leadership of the Nuclear Skills Strategy Group and as current President of the Nuclear Institute, she promotes nuclear engineering and works to inspire students and foster equality and diversity in the profession.
Dr Rayment is recognised internationally; not just through awards such as the Chevalier de L’Ordre national de la Legion D’honneur, but also through roles on key international institutions. She is Chair of the Science Advisory Committee of the Energy Division of the French Atomic Energy Commission, Vice Chair of the OECD NEA’s Steering Committee and Bureau and until recently Policy Director of the Generation IV International Forum, which oversees international cooperation on next generation reactor systems.
She proved her credentials by leading research on complex reprocessing operations, robotic handling systems and novel technical breakthroughs. This includes initiating the science and subsequent engineering work that led to the wide adoption of Americium battery technology in the space industry.
Nominating Fiona for the award, Dr Dame Sue Ion GBE FREng FRS said: “Fiona has demonstrated an incredible amount of energy, passion and commitment for the nuclear sector. As the government ushers in a new wave of investment in nuclear power for the future, they will build on world-leading nuclear expertise and skills that she has done so much to foster and develop during her extraordinary career.”
Fiona herself said: “I am absolutely delighted to receive this unique award. My career in nuclear has been, and continues to be, an amazing journey and being able to use scientific and engineering knowledge and experience to contribute to its future success is very fulfilling. I’d like to thank the Royal Academy of Engineering and particularly my nominator, Dame Sue Ion, who was and continues to be an inspirational leader.”
For more articles like this, visit our People & Skills channel
