Bridget Dempsey

Sellafield is not just the largest nuclear site in Europe, it is a vital contributor to the Cumbrian economy even while it is in the process of being decommissioned, with tens of thousands of people employed either directly by the plant or the associated supply chain. That makes it one of the most important drivers of local news, and a continual source of interest to readers of the local press.

Thanks to persistent networking over the course of many months, Bridget Dempsey was able to secure a relatively rare interview with Sellafield’s CEO, Martin Chown, which offered not just an insight into future plans for the site but a personal look at a leader of local importance who guided Sellafield through the pandemic and its aftermath.

Dempsey emphasised Chown’s humility as a leader, and his belief that “everybody is just as important as everybody else” whether they are a nuclear worker, cleaner or security guard. But Dempsey also discussed Chown’s background, from starting his career working on the shop floor as an apprentice to later volunteering as a part-time ambulance driver.