Some of the BEPPS2 team watch the piling rig being demobilised.
Our Box Encapsulation Plant Product Store Two (BEPPS2) continues to deliver at pace as they complete piling works almost two weeks ahead of schedule.
Seventeen piles were placed evenly in the ground after careful coordination between the engineering and construction teams.
Completion of the works means the team can proceed with excavating the ground to a suitable depth to commence construction of the building service tunnel, which will link BEP to BEPPS2, for the safe transportation of materials for storage.
Once commissioned, BEPPS2 will provide additional storage capacity for intermediate-level waste packages arising from the site’s retrievals and remediation programmes. When full, it will hold approximately 7,500 packages across two vaults.
Stephen Hodgson, operations director, said:
“This is a significant milestone and achievement that has only been achieved by working collaboratively with our key delivery partner, Sir Robert McAlpine, and their supply chain partner, Bauer.
“I continue to be grateful for the entire project team’s unwavering commitment to high standards and delivery excellence.”
Building strong relationships, leading by example, and staying grounded in experience — that’s how Tim Murdoch, construction environmental advisor, supports the success of our SIXEP Continuity Plant (SCP).
Tim has been part of SCP since 2019 and is well-known across the project for his depth of environmental knowledge and practical, people-first approach. From managing contaminated ground and liquid effluent to advising on waste, Tim’s work is central to delivering safe and compliant outcomes in a complex construction environment.
Tim said: “I just try to be myself. Build trust, be approachable, and always treat people with respect. It’s all about relationships in the end. If you can do that well, everything else usually follows.”
Tim began his role focusing on excavation, groundwater, and waste management. Over time, as the project progressed, so did his responsibilities. He now carries multiple SQEP roles on behalf of Sellafield Ltd, allowing him to work flexibly across different environmental functions and ensure high standards are maintained throughout.
Tim added: “Helping to turn a design aspiration into a construction reality is something I enjoy. It’s about applying experience, listening and understanding how things work on-site, not just how they look on paper.”
Leading by example
His approach is based on integrity and action. He strives to lead by example and bring a calm, respectful presence to every interaction. Tim said:
“I’d never ask anyone to do something I’m not prepared to do myself. I hope that people respect that. It’s about showing up, supporting people, and setting a consistent standard.”
He’s also passionate about the site’s environmental past, drawing on experience gained over the past few years working with Sellafield’s environmental industrial legacy. He said:
“You’ve got to care about what you do; this isn’t just a technical challenge — it’s part of something bigger. I’ve learned so much about the history of this place, and I’m proud to be part of the recovery and transformation.”
Despite his senior role, Tim’s leadership is rooted in humility and teamwork. He added: “I’m just one of many, everyone plays a role, from delivering innovation to keeping us compliant on the ground. It’s a collective effort, and that’s what makes the difference.”
Tim’s approach reflects what Proud to Lead is about — using experience, empathy, and collaboration to support the team, protect the environment, and keep the project moving forward.
A supervisor our Sellafield Product and Residue Store Retreatment Plant (SRP), takes pride in leading his team through site work with a hands-on and proactive approach.
Coming from a military background, Steven Boyd, who works for Lindner, brings a disciplined and structured mindset to supervising his team of 16, including both experienced tradesmen and apprentices.
For Steven, leadership means being involved and solution-focused. He works closely with his team to address challenges head-on, finding solutions rather than focusing on problems.
Steven said: “It is all about tackling new tasks and working out solutions together.
“I like being involved in the details and making sure we find the best way forward.”
One of Steven’s key strengths is his ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds. Drawing from his military experience, he knows the value of teamwork and effective communication.
He added: “It is definitely beneficial to have people from different walks of life on the team. Everyone has their own perspective, and that variety helps us work better together.”
Coordinating manpower, and dealing with overlapping tasks from various contractors, can be challenging on site. Despite this, Steven maintains a positive outlook, focusing on planning and communication to keep the work moving smoothly.
Pride in project
Steven is proud to be part of a multi-million pound decommissioning project that makes Sellafield safer for the public.
He said: “I am proud to be involved in a project that is making a difference to safety on such a large scale.”
Steven’s dedication to professional growth is clear. Recently, he achieved his construction site management level 6 qualification, supported by Lindner. He encourages others to keep pushing forward, adding:
“Take every opportunity to get qualified. Show interest, and people here will help you progress.”
His approach reflects what Proud to Lead is all about: commitment to safety, continuous improvement, and leading by example.
Read more of our Proud to Lead stories on the following links:
The team from West Cumberland Engineering standing in front of the pump and valve modules.
Our SIXEP Continuity Plant (SCP) project team has achieved its latest significant delivery milestone, completing the manufacture of 14 bespoke pump and valve modules.
Just as important as the building structure itself, is its inner workings. With the help of a vast supply chain, the project is making progress manufacturing a complex arrangement of tanks, vessels, pumps, valves and pipework. Once the facility is commissioned, these vital components will all work together to treat effluent streams from legacy facilities across the site.
This latest milestone coincides with the 40th anniversary of Sellafield’s existing Site Ion Exchange Effluent Plant (SIXEP). SIXEP, which has been operational since 1985, is one of the site’s key effluent treatment plants because of the role it plays in treating liquids from some of the site’s oldest assets, including the First-Generation Magnox Storage Pond and the Magnox Swarf Storage Silo.
The plant acts as the ‘kidneys’ of the Sellafield site, filtering out nuclear material before the liquid is safely discharged to sea. The new-build plant, SCP, is on course to be operational in 2029 and will ensure SIXEP can continue its vital work for decades to come, in support of the site’s decommissioning.
Simon Wilcock, SCP’s project director, said:
“I am immensely proud of the team for reaching our third major milestone. The successful on-time completion of the specialist pumps, remotely maintainable valves and modules, is a huge step for SCP, removing a significant risk to the project.
“This achievement is a great example of the supply chain working collaboratively, with the focus on being successful together, to deliver a high-quality product that will form the heart of the effluent treatment process, and supporting high-hazard reduction for years to come.”
The supply chain behind the milestone includes German-based AZ Armaturen who manufactured the valves, Hayward Tyler and Stainless Metalcraft who manufactured the pumps, and West Cumberland Engineering Ltd who completed the final module manufacturing, intricate connecting pipework and welds.
Watch the video here to hear more about the work of West Cumberland Engineering Ltd.
Congratulations to NG Bailey, this month’s Sellafield Product and Residue Store Retreatment Plant (SRP) Safety Energy contractor of the month. The award was presented to the team by Fraser Cruickshank, SRP senior project manager.
NG Bailey earned this recognition for their excellent concurrent Safety Energy performance, maintaining a low impact safety energy score, and effectively managing period one observation fluctuations. This achievement reflects their commitment to safety and their proactive approach to maintaining high standards on site.
Kent Fearon, NG Bailey SHE manager, said: “Being named SRP’s Safety Energy contractor of the month for the third time is a tremendous honour for NG Bailey — a milestone that reflects the strength of our team and our commitment to continuous improvement.
“This recognition highlights not only our collective efforts but also the safety innovations we have championed, including the 360° protection safety helmets and the Press to Check RPE system, now standard across PDD.
“Our collaborative approach, working closely with the project team and sharing best practices, has been key to driving progress and raising the bar for safety performance. Since the launch of the Safety Energy initiative, we have set ambitious targets that challenge us to continually improve and lead by example across our projects.
“I could not be prouder of the dedication and passion shown by our entire team. This award is a testament to their hard work. While I may set the vision, it is our workforce and management who bring it to life through their relentless focus and commitment. This recognition belongs to every single one of them.”
A huge well done to the NG Bailey team for their outstanding work and continued dedication to safety.
The final concrete pour on the roof slab of our Sellafield Product and Residue Store Retreatment Plant (SRP) process building has been completed. The latest achievement, for one of the site’s largest and most complex infrastructure projects, means the main building is now fully weathertight.
John Leslie, SRP project director, said: “I’m delighted we’ve reached another pivotal moment in the delivery of SRP, and I want to congratulate the team on their latest achievement.
“This is an extremely complex major project to deliver, and through our PPP delivery model we have collaborated with our supply chain partners Kier, Severfield and Mammoet to achieve another significant step forward.
“Delivering projects of this scale and keeping them on track, while keeping everyone safe, is no mean feat and is thanks to the collaboration and professionalism demonstrated everyday by hundreds of people across our supply chain all striving for excellence.”
Facts and figures
To complete this latest milestone, over 2,700 cubic metres of concrete from Sellafield’s new on-site batching plant was poured, pumped up to a height of 30 metres, over a 12-week period to complete the roof slab. Now the process building is weathertight, the facility’s internal and mechanical fit-out will progress, pushing the project closer to its active commissioning and operations in support of the government’s plutonium disposition strategy announced earlier this year.
Louis Twentyman, a graduate of PPP’s internship scheme and now a site engineering apprentice on the project, said: “It’s amazing to be part of a project the scale of SRP, and one with such an important role in the site’s decommissioning.
“Not everyone gets to work on projects of this stature and where there’s something interesting and exciting happening every day. It’s amazing seeing it progress and to be part of it all – I can’t wait to say I helped to build that.”
Confidence
The project is one of only a handful of the country’s major infrastructure projects to hold a ‘green’ delivery confidence rating from the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA), the government’s centre of expertise for infrastructure and major projects.
Once commissioned, SRP will safely receive special nuclear material packages from existing storage locations across the Sellafield site before retreating them into new 100-year packages for safe storage. The SRP facility will enable all special nuclear material to remain safe and secure in its store into the next century and beyond and, therefore, plays a key role in delivering Sellafield’s purpose to create a clean and safe environment for future generations.
Next week is Dementia Action Week (Monday 19 to Sunday 25 May) – an annual event that aims to raise awareness and encourage action to improve the lives of people living with dementia.
To celebrate the week, our teams have put together a pack of resources to showcase the support available and to provide an opportunity to learn more about dementia.
To access the pack yourself, download it by clicking below.
There’s now just one week left to nominate our Knowingly Safe champions for 2025. What’s more, there are eight awards to choose from.
Do you know someone who has gone above and beyond to keep us all Knowingly Safe? Well this is your chance to get them the recognition they deserve!
The window to nominate people for this year’s inaugural Project Delivery Directorate (PDD) Knowingly Safe Awards 2025 closes on Wednesday 21 May.
The awards will celebrate those working across Major Projects who go above and beyond to drive continuous improvement in our safety performance and those who have shown the Courage to Care 24/7 within the wider community.
The eight award categories:
Knowingly Safe Champion – An individual who consistently goes above and beyond in ensuring they deliver their work in a Knowingly Safe manner.
Knowingly Safe Supervisor – A supervisor who puts safety performance at the forefront of their duties when supervising their team.
Knowingly Safe Team – A group of individuals who have consistently demonstrated Knowingly Safe behaviours during the delivery of their work.
Knowingly Safe Rising Star – An individual early in their career who has joined the programme and made an immediate and significant impact. They will have brought drive and energy to their role and demonstrated key PPP behaviours.
Knowingly Safe Innovation Award – The organisation, team or individual who has proactively brought safety improvements and innovation through learning within their organisation or the wider industry.
Boots On, Switch On – People Plant Interface Award – The organisation or team who have proactively sought out improvements and innovation in the area of PPI during the recent campaign.
Courage to Care 24/7 Award – This award is to recognise the team or individual who demonstrates our Knowingly Safe behaviours and values outside of the workplace within their wider community.
PDD Supply Chain Knowingly Safe Award – This award is to recognise the supply chain partner who have excelled in their demonstrable commitment to Knowingly Safe through everything they do (organisations are not required to submit a nomination for this award).
How to nominate
Nominations can be made by clicking the link here before the deadline of 21 May or by scanning the QR code, pictured left.
An independent panel will select the winners and runners-up with the results to be announced at the PDD Knowingly Safe Awards ceremony on Wednesday 11 June in B524.
PPP head of EHSSQ and assurance, James Lewis, said:
“Every step we take towards our goal of Knowingly Safe is made possible by operatives and teams who are visible, but equally those who quietly lead by example.
“These awards are a way of shining a light on their individual and team contributions – which are the backbone of our safety culture.
“Safety is a team effort across major projects and no contribution should go unseen. I look forward to reading the nominations and meeting the winners at the awards event.”
PPP brings together industry leaders to help Sellafield Ltd deliver one of the country’s largest portfolios of complex major projects, creating facilities that support the site’s decommissioning activities.
Since mobilising in 2019, the Programme and Project Partners (PPP) has awarded more than £3 billion in contracts – and are now working with around 200 suppliers from across the UK, with 40% based in the North-West region, and 49% of its suppliers are SMEs.
Our latest Supplier Spotlight features our supply partner, Bendalls Engineering, who has a long and proud history with Sellafield Ltd.
Bendalls are based in Carlisle, just 50 miles from the Sellafield site, and are producing tanks, vessels and instrumentation that will be vital components for our major projects, including the SIXEP Continuity Plant (SCP).
They are also playing their part in leaving a lasting legacy in the community by developing their Skills Academy.
In partnership with Lakes College, the Skills Academy aims to strengthen and retain key skills through bespoke apprenticeships to grow and retain Cumbria’s manufacturing workforce and capability.
Watch the video, by clicking here, to learn more about Bendalls Engineering, their work, and how their Skills Academy is building critical skills in the West Cumbrian area.
As part of our commitment to nurturing new talent through the PPP internship programme, we’re proud to highlight the journey of Reece Gunn – a driven and dedicated intern, who has made a real impact over the last 12 months with March Engineering.
Reece joined the team following a brief period of unemployment after college, bringing with him a strong work ethic, a willingness to learn, and a clear determination to make the most of the opportunity in front of him.
He said: “I was a little apprehensive about joining the team at first, as this was something I had minimal experience in, but I was mostly determined as I knew this was a very good opportunity for me.”
Reece stepped into the role of an intern quantity surveyor (QS), a critical position that involves liaising with the client and subcontractors to calculate initial and ongoing costs and substantiate proof of those costs effectively and accurately.
Despite being new to the field, Reece quickly immersed himself in the work and began developing the key skills needed to thrive in such a technical and fast-paced environment.
Reece added: “I feel my time here has gone very well. I’ve learned so much from my colleagues in the past year, and I now feel like the work I do has meaning and adds value to the business.”
His enthusiasm for learning and adaptability have already made a strong impression. Looking ahead, Reece is eager to continue developing professionally and deepen his understanding of our projects.
He said: “My future goals are to remain in my role here at March, to become an official employee, and to deepen my knowledge of Sellafield contracts so that I may be of more use to my colleagues.”
Advice for other interns
Reece also had some thoughtful advice for future interns and early-career professionals: “Take your time — no one expects you to know everything at first. Get to know your colleagues, because they always have something to teach you. And never be afraid to ask questions.”
Anita Brookes, regional commercial director at March Engineering, said: “Since Reece joined our team in Whitehaven as an intern QS, he has fitted in well and is a popular member of the team. He is wanting to get involved in everything and his enthusiasm to learn and develop into a QS professional is really pleasing to see.
“If it wasn’t for the internship programme, Reece may never have had this opportunity come his way. The skills he learnt from the programme really shone through when he came in that day for his interview.
“He was clear, confident, extremely prepared for an interview situation and his personality blew us all away. The internship programme has helped set him up for life and it is now in Reece’s hands to grab every opportunity that comes his way.
“March would definitely look for another intern when the recruitment need comes around again.”
Reece’s story is a fantastic reminder that growth often begins with a step into the unknown. Through hard work, support, and the right environment, it’s possible to go from uncertainty to confidence and to build a career with purpose along the way.
We’re proud to have Reece as part of PPP, and we look forward to seeing where his journey takes him next.
There’s now just one week left to nominate our Knowingly Safe champions for 2025. What’s more, there are eight awards to choose from.
Nominations can be made by 
