Nuclear Week in Parliament 2026

This year’s Nuclear Week in Parliament once again delivered a compelling mix of industry insight, thought leadership, and much-needed conversations around diversity and inclusion. A particular highlight for me was attending the Women in Nuclear (WiN UK) Executive Leadership Forum, a session that brought together over 150 senior leaders from across the nuclear industry. The evening was not only a celebration of connection and collaboration, but also a reminder of the collective responsibility we share in shaping a more inclusive sector.

Speakers from across the private and public sectors, including government officials, large contractors and global consultancies, addressed some of the key challenges and opportunities facing the nuclear workforce today. There was a strong emphasis on what real progress looks like, with a spotlight on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) as not just a cultural aspiration, but a business-critical priority.

What made the session so valuable, however, wasn’t just the panel discussions, it was the quality of the conversations taking place around the room. I had the opportunity to speak with several industry leaders and HR professionals about how recruitment strategies, talent development, and workplace culture are evolving in response to both skills shortages and EDI goals. It was encouraging to hear how aligned many of these discussions were with what we at Carrington West are seeing day-to-day.

The fact that recruitment consultancies like Carrington West were in the room, only reinforces the growing recognition of the role agencies like ours can play in driving EDI through more informed hiring decisions. From the challenges of attracting diverse early-career talent, to the retention of skilled professionals in underrepresented groups, the discussions were honest, open, and solution-focused.

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Diversity Data Benchmarking Conference 2026

Later in the week, I attended the Diversity Data Benchmarking Conference 2026, a full-day event attended by around 250 people from a broad mix of organisations including infrastructure giants, engineering consultants, and EDI specialists. This session took a data-driven approach to understanding the sector’s progress, or, in some areas, regression. Preliminary figures suggest a disappointing decline in the representation of women and minority groups across the industry over the past year. While we await the formal release of this data, it’s clear that these insights will shape how we as a recruitment partner support our clients in their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategies in the coming year.

Among the many conversations I had during the day, one that particularly stood out was with a senior figure from Network Rail, whose personal commitment to increasing representation on industry panels echoed a recurring theme: we need more visible role models. Whether it's through public speaking, mentoring or recruitment partnerships, there’s a growing appetite to bring fresh voices to the forefront of the industry.

Overall, both events reflected a sector that is ambitious, not just in its plans for growth and energy security, but in its commitment to building a workforce that reflects the society it serves. For candidates considering a future in nuclear, there is clear momentum behind initiatives that support long-term, inclusive careers. And for clients, these sessions reinforced just how integral people strategies are to achieving business success in this evolving landscape.

I left both events feeling more connected than ever, not only to the professionals driving progress in the nuclear space, but to the conversations that will shape its future. At Carrington West, we’re proud to be part of that journey, helping technical talent find their place in a sector that is redefining what progress looks like.