Sir John Deane’s Sixth Form College was delighted to recenlty welcome British engineer and female pioneer Dame Sue Ion, who delivered an inspirational talk to budding young female scientists.
Dame Sue Ion is a prominent figure in the UK nuclear industry. She has chaired the EU Euratom Science and Technology Committee since 2010, and represents the UK on a number of international committees as an expert on nuclear fuel manufacture and technology.
She began her career at British Nuclear Fuels Ltd in 1979, acting as Chief Technology Director from 1992 until 2006, where she controlled a £100 million research and development budget.
Students from the college and The County High School, Leftwich learnt about Sue’s route into the industry, from being a materials scientist, specialising in nuclear energy and advising the government on how to use energy more efficiently and sustainably.
Tracy Foy, Deputy Principal at Sir John Deane’s said: “Sue is a fantastic example of a woman who worked in the nuclear industry and in science, which certainly in the 70’s and 80’s was male-dominated. Sue overcame those barriers and got to the top. She remains passionate about science and engineering and about encouraging women into engineering.”
Pictured above: Dame Sue Ion with students from Sir John Deane’s Sixth Form College and The County High School, Leftwich and Head Girl Daisy Bolton who has applied to study civil and structural engineering at university from September.