HQ Team

Robert Gofton

Robert joined the NI in August 2024 as the CEO. He brings extensive experience from both the charity and private sectors, and his background includes expertise in commercial businesses, fundraising, and large membership-led and voluntary organisations. In addition to his full-time role, Robert serves as a Trustee for the mental health charity Step One. In his leisure time, he enjoys surfing.

Cynthia Hearing

Cynthia joined the NI in March 2022.  She has over 18 years’ experience working in the education and professional membership sectors. She previously worked for the Institution of Structural Engineers for 13 years as Membership and Qualifications Manager. Prior to that she worked for Pearson Edexcel for 6 years looking after qualifications and key accounts in the ambulance and security sectors.

She is a Member of the Institute of Leadership and Management.

Jennifer Killick

Jennifer is the Institute's Membership Manager, responsible for professional grades of membership offered by the NI, including Fellow, Member and registration titles e.g. CEng.

Jennifer joined the NI in June 2023.  She has 10 years’ experience working in the membership sector as well as 2 years in talent acquisition. She previously worked for the Royal Institute of British Architects in Membership Services, Membership Development + Member relations, including running a mentoring scheme for young architects.

James Barker

James joined the NI in August 2022 and is responsible for all marketing and promotional activities of the Institute, supporting regional branches and other communities with marketing and communications activity across all platforms. He is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. 

Previously he worked at the South West Nuclear Hub at the University of Bristol, helping to connect regional academia, industry and governmental organisations, as well as communicating and promoting nuclear research. 

Rebecca Hughes 

Rebecca joined as Events & Communities Manager in November 2024. She joins us from a background in leading the delivery of large and small technical and social events and conferences for professional membership bodies, including the Royal College of General Practitioners where she was Assistant Director for more than 7 years. Rebecca is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute and lives in Wales and enjoys the outdoors.

Ian Jones

Ian is the Institute’s Events Officer and oversees the setting up and online booking of a range of events. He also oversees subscriptions to the Institute’s journal, Nuclear Future. Ian joined the NI in June 2024 having previously worked for the Institution of Chemical Engineers for 16 years where he specialised in developing and enhancing processes, online applicant/assessor portals and CRMs. Ian is dedicated to ensuring that members and volunteers receive exceptional service and is always willing to go the extra mile to assist them.

Om Maharjan

Om Joined the NI in July 2018. He previously worked as a Finance Officer at Frances Taylor Foundation.

Om has a Masters degree in Accounting and Finance, and is currently doing a professional qualification through AAT.