Meet our people

For some, it’s the structured training and career development; for others, it’s the fact that British Energy makes the largest single contribution to the UK’s climate change programme of any company. In fact, there are many reasons for working with British Energy. To see what our people have to say about working with us, simply click the links below:

• Helen McBride, HR Advisor
• Ian Ord, Improvement Manager
• Mal Jones, Reactor Operator
• Sheena Egan, Safety Centre Administrator
• Zahid Panchbhaya, Shift Trader
• Hannah Woor, Continuous Improvement Manager

Helen McBride, HR Advisor, Dungeness B Power Station

My first experience of British Energy was a one-year HR placement as part of my university degree. And what an experience it was! I was impressed by their professionalism and passion, their energy and enthusiasm for people. Upon graduating I wanted a structured training plan with plenty of opportunities for development, so I applied for the British Energy graduate scheme and joined in September 2004.

The first thing that struck me was the programme’s clear structure and the comprehensive development plan that British Energy puts in place for every graduate. Of course, the competitive salary and benefits package also helped!

I have gained broad exposure to HR and also spent time in business areas across the company (and country), including operations and maintenance. This has also enabled me to build a network of contacts which has proved invaluable in my new role.

And that’s the beauty of the British Energy programme: you get to see the big business picture, and I’ve gained an invaluable insight into the role that HR plays in such a large, complex organisation. Not that the programme stops there. As well as one-to-one performance reviews every six months, where you’ll discuss how things are going and identify areas for further development, you attend numerous training courses. Speaking of which, the company’s also supported my CIPD professional study; not just in terms of financial support, but also in allowing me to take time away from the business to attend workshops.

Working with British Energy is hugely enjoyable and incredibly fast-paced. Change is a constant here, which means there’s no time to get bored! I have now completed the graduate programme and taken up the role of HR Advisor at Dungeness B. I am really enjoying the role and the challenges it brings.

Ian Ord, Improvement Manager, Hunterston B Power Station

It’s no exaggeration to say that British Energy’s in my blood. Having been with the company for more than 30 years now, in a number of different roles, I’m currently working as an Improvement Manager.

As it sounds, it’s my job to lead British Energy through its various improvement and change programmes. And improvement’s the watchword here. British Energy isn’t about change for change’s sake; it’s about creating an environment which encourages responsibility and innovation, and one which will drive continued commercial success. I’m currently involved in rolling-out an improvement programme which is bringing new learning into the way we do business.

There’s no such thing as a typical day in my job. And that’s part of the attraction. I’m often dealing with complex processes with equally complex demands – and that means variety aplenty! It’s also an incredibly rewarding role; you feel a sense of pride when you see colleagues getting on and enjoying their learning and development.

So, what’s kept me here all these years? Initially, I was attracted to the idea of doing something completely different in an evolving industry... and how it’s evolved! Today’s British Energy is almost unrecognisable from the British Energy of 30 years ago, and I really feel like I’ve played my part in the company’s development. Personally speaking, I’ve learned a great deal and come a long way. And that’s largely down to the training and development you receive. I’d recommend British Energy to anyone looking for challenging and rewarding work, especially when you consider the role that the company – and nuclear energy– has to play in the future. Ultimately, your work makes a difference to the country, its economy and environment. And how many people can actually say that?

Mal Jones, Reactor Operator, Sizewell B Power Station

1977 saw Star Wars hit the big screen and the Queen celebrate her silver jubilee. It also marked the beginning of my career within energy supply! It all started with a craft apprenticeship at Cliff Quay Power Station in Ipswich. And whilst I’m sad to say that Cliff Quay’s no more, British Energy – and my career - has gone from strength to strength.

Over the years I’ve been involved in everything from providing technical support for experiments into atmospheric dispersion at nuclear power stations, through to working as part of the team which achieved a site licence for the Dounreay Prototype Fast Reactor. I’ve also worked as a Technical Trainer in Sizewell B’s Operations Department.

I spent 5 years on shift operations as a technician, before moving into the control room as an Assistant Operations Engineer (AEO). Having gained substantial experience as an AEO, I was promptly promoted to Reactor Operator. I was recently seconded as a Simulator Tutor at Sizewell B. It’s a role that’s at the heart of the company’s commitment to safety, and a large part of my time was spent testing and refining the simulators response to real plant data and test data. I also worked with new trainees, giving them the training, support and development they need to become fully-fledged Control Room Engineers.

As you can see, I’ve certainly had my fair share of career development. I’ve gained exposure to a wide variety of operations and job roles. More than that, British Energy supported me, personally and financially, during my BEng Honours degree in Mechanical Engineering.

All in all, British Energy’s a great employer: your work’s interesting and stimulating; the people are friendly and supportive; and, of course, British Energy offers a very competitive salary and benefits package. And for me, the nuclear energy industry offers plenty of opportunities to learn and develop. Would I recommend working with British Energy? Of course, for job satisfaction and career potential. And if you’re bright, enthusiastic and willing to learn, you’ll go a long way.

Sheena Egan, Safety Centre Administrator, Eggborough Power Station

Whilst I’ve been working at Eggborough Power Station for 23 years, I’ve been a British Energy employee for the last six, ever since they acquired the station in early 2000. As a coal-fired power station, Eggborough gives British Energy more flexibility to complement its nuclear generation.

Of course, safety’s our number one priority. In my role as Safety Centre Administrator, I’m responsible for administering all aspects of safety on site. As well as co-ordinating safety tours and observation walks, I’m involved in writing and issuing safety bulletins and newsletters, and managing the Company’s safety recognition scheme.

British Energy has an award-winning approach to safety, and our industrial record is amongst the best in UK industry. It’s my job to ensure that we continue to promote and develop a positive safety culture at Eggborough. To this end, I’m responsible for organising Health and Safety Week activities; I also play a key part in investigating accidents and participating in various meetings and groups related to health and safety. I’m also a qualified First Aider and a member of the Station Incident Team.

The beauty of my role is that I get to make the most of my skills. I’ve always enjoyed working with people, and have an organised, analytical approach to problem solving. And I’ve learnt so much in a relatively short time: I’m now an authority on Health & Safety legislation, regulations and procedures! British Energy also gave me the opportunity – and the support – to study for the supported NEBOSH Certificate in Health & Safety.

The future? Well, I want to continue learning and developing, personally and professionally. British Energy is investing in the station and its people, and the future looks really exciting.

Zahid Panchbhaya, Shift Trader, Power & Energy Trading, Barnwood

As a Shift Trader, I work in a team that's at the forefront of the delivery of generation processes, managing British Energy's short-term position. It's our job to maximise value, minimise risk, optimise generation and respond to market conditions on a 24 hours, 365 days a year basis. In other words, to ensure that we continue to deliver safe, dependable and cost-effective energy.

Having previously worked in the engineering team, I've been a Shift Trader for just over a year now - and what a great year! To say that the environment's fast-paced and constantly changing would be an understatement. As a Shift Trader, you have to be numerate and able to understand complex commercial communications, and you can find yourself speaking to all sorts of people, from power stations to the National Grid, analysts through to the commercial optimisation team.

What attracted me to British Energy? Well, I knew that I'd be working with the best people in the business. And from the moment I walked through the door, I knew instantly that this was the place for me. As well as the fantastic training and support (and great colleagues), you have frequent and in-depth appraisals here. All of which ensures that I continue to grow as a trader and am able to gain exposure to other areas of the business.

Is my job fulfilling? You bet. I find one of the most rewarding aspects is the responsibility afforded to you, both in the role itself and in a wider respect. Yes, I'm responsible for optimising the short-term position for British Energy, but more than that, it's up to me to make the most of the training and development opportunities that come my way - of which there are plenty! As an employer, British Energy recognises, cultivates and harnesses ability and talent. They have a superb attitude towards your advancement and progress. So if you want to get on, you can here!

Hannah Woor, Continuous Improvement Manager Sizewell B Power Station

Having worked with British Energy for eight years, I'm currently Continuous Improvement Manager at Sizewell B where I take a strategic overview, drive cultural change and manage the performance improvement life cycle. In other words, it's about evolving the way we work to ensure that we continue to deliver a safe, efficient and reliable operation.

Previously I was Group Head in the Engineering Technology branch based at Barnwood. Managing up to 18 physicists and engineers, we focused our energies on supporting the power stations on nuclear fuel and core fault studies issues.

With my physics background, I've always found the nuclear industry a fascinating place to work, with a constant supply of new and interesting challenges. And as you can see, I'm living proof of the company's commitment to training and career progression. In fact, I'm currently undertaking a part-time doctoral programme at Bristol University, sponsored by British Energy.

Mind you, it's not all about my development. I love helping others to grow and develop into new roles of their own. Seeing them progress through the company is immensely rewarding. I also take lots of pride and pleasure from their achievements - after all, it's group performance rather than personal achievement that's important.

If you're looking for challenging, interesting and ever-evolving work, with expert and professional colleagues, British Energy ticks all the boxes. It also feels good to be contributing to something tangible - the generation of electricity.

It's not all work, work, work. British Energy is an incredibly supportive company, personally as well as professionally. I've found them to be very family-friendly, and they really help you to achieve a healthy work-life balance.