Following Jack Gritt’s announcement at the annual WiN UK conference about our intention to set up as an independent entity, I wanted to provide a quick update of progress in this area and share some changes to our team.
It is with much gratitude that we are saying farewell to one of our current WiN UK Board members. Maxine Symington, General Counsel and Company Secretary at Magnox Ltd, is stepping down after 6 years on the WiN UK Executive Board. As one of WiN UK's original Vice Presidents, Max has had responsibility for Governance and Finance since WiN UK’s inception and has been instrumental in setting the organisation off on the right path and supporting it through its amazing journey to date. Max won’t be leaving us completely, but will be stepping back to play more of an advisory role going forwards. We’d like to thank Max for everything she’s done to support WiN UK, wish her every success in her Magnox role and look forward to working with her on specific initiatives going forward. Thank you and all the best Max.
With regard to our independent set-up, despite the unprecedented circumstances we find ourselves in, we are pushing ahead with this with the full support and backing of the Nuclear Institute.
I’m delighted to announce that we are being supported in this by Gareth Davies who has been a supporter of WiN UK since we began our journey in 2014. Gareth is lawyer, who started his nuclear career at Imperial College, then joined Burges Salmon. He has a Master’s in Governance and a keen interest in charity and not-for-profit initiatives. He has a commercial background, and over 10 years’ experience as Secretary to various companies limited by guarantee and shares in the nuclear sector. Gareth will join the WiN UK Executive Board as Governance Lead for the next year to help ensure that WiN UK meets its governance and legal responsibilities and obligations.
I am also really pleased to announce that Linda Aylmore will join the Board as Finance Lead to support the transition. Linda has a strong financial background and experience of governance and change management in both the corporate and SME environment, so will be an asset to the Executive team in supporting our set-up. Linda has been in the nuclear industry for over 25 years and really understands the challenges in the sector from lots of different angles, both as a Finance Director operating in industry and now as a finance consultant to SMEs. Like Gareth, Linda is also a huge advocate for the WiN UK mission. Both I and the WiN UK Executive Board are really looking forward to working with both of them.
Also I am pleased to announce that Maria Kolodnytska will become Transition Manager, and will be working very closely with Gareth, Linda and the WiN UK Board to establish WiN UK as an independent organisation. I asked Maria to take on this role due to her unique combination of experience in managing transformational projects and governance roles in her 14 year career in nuclear.
So welcome Gareth and Linda, and congratulation on your new role Maria. We now have a really strong team here to set ourselves up for success and to continue to build on the fantastic WiN UK journey to date.
Lynsey Valentine, WiN UK President