Nuclear pioneer Professor Fiona Rayment OBE FREng FRSE FNucI, President of the Nuclear Institute, has received one of the Royal Academy of Engineering’s highest accolades, the Sir Frank Whittle Medal, in recognition of her engineering leadership and technical expertise in the nuclear sector.
The Sir Frank Whittle Medal is named after Britain’s jet engine genius – and one of the Academy’s Founder Fellows. It is awarded annually to a UK-based engineer whose outstanding and sustained achievements have had a profound impact on their engineering discipline.
Professor Rayment is internationally renowned for her work over three decades, leading fundamental innovation and acting a senior policy adviser at both national and international level. She has also played a key role in the Academy’s ongoing collaboration with the National Academy of Engineering Korea on clean energy.
As Chief Science and Technology Officer at the UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory, she developed new systems to solve nuclear waste problems, including accident-tolerant fuels. Through her leadership of the Nuclear Skills Strategy Group and as current President of the Nuclear Institute, she promotes nuclear engineering and works to inspire students and foster equality and diversity in the profession.
Professor Rayment is recognised internationally; not just through awards such as the Chevalier de L’Ordre national de la Legion D’honneur, but also through roles on key international institutions. She is Chair of the Science Advisory Committee of the Energy Division of the French Atomic Energy Commission, Vice Chair of the OECD NEA’s Steering Committee and Bureau and until recently Policy Director of the Generation IV International Forum, which oversees international cooperation on next generation reactor systems.
She proved her credentials by leading research on complex reprocessing operations, robotic handling systems and novel technical breakthroughs. This includes initiating the science and subsequent engineering work that led to the wide adoption of Americium battery technology in the space industry.
Speaking about receiving the award, Fiona said:
“I am absolutely delighted to receive this unique award. My career in nuclear has been, and continues to be, an amazing journey and being able to use scientific and engineering knowledge and experience to contribute to its future success is very fulfilling. I’d like to thank the Royal Academy of Engineering and in particular to my nominator, Dame Sue Ion who was and continues to be an inspirational leader.”
Nominating Professor Rayment for the award, Dr Dame Sue Ion GBE FREng FRS says:
“Fiona has demonstrated an incredible amount of energy, passion and commitment for the nuclear sector. As the government ushers in a new wave of investment in nuclear power for the future, they will build on world-leading nuclear expertise and skills that she has done so much to foster and develop during her extraordinary career.”
Notes for Editors
- Named after Britain’s jet engine genius, the Sir Frank Whittle Medal is awarded to an engineer resident in the UK whose outstanding and sustained achievements have had a profound impact on their engineering discipline. This year’s medal will be presented at the Academy’s AGM in London on 23 September 2025.
- The Royal Academy of Engineering creates and leads a community of outstanding experts and innovators to engineer better lives. As a charity and a Fellowship, we deliver public benefit from excellence in engineering and technology and convene leading businesspeople, entrepreneurs, innovators and academics across engineering and technology. As a National Academy, we provide leadership for engineering and technology, and independent, expert advice to policymakers in the UK and beyond. Our work is enabled by funding from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, corporate and university partners, charitable trusts and foundations, and individual donors.
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