Alumna recognised in King’s Birthday Honours List for nuclear work 

Weston has been awarded the Companion of the Order of the Bath, a special Order of Knights which recognises the work of senior military officials and civil servants, for her role in accelerating the modernisation of the country’s nuclear deterrent.

“I found it a huge honour, knowing that you’ve made a material difference to your country and national security,” said Weston who has over 25 years of experience working in the nuclear industry.

“I’m very conscious of the amount of work that an enormous amount of people put into achieving these endeavours that, while I might have set the direction and led the teams, were delivered by a whole host of people.

“The power of the collective sense of purpose and service that surrounds delivering the deterrent is incredible.”

Weston worked at the Ministry of Defence for four years as a director general in the Defence Nuclear Organisation and doesn’t predict the importance of nuclear deterrence lessening any time soon.

“The Government has committed many tens of billions of pounds to nuclear in the UK to keep the deterrent for as long as it is required.

“And certainly, in the global context, that shows no signs of diminishing, however much we do wish for a world without nuclear weapons.”

Since leaving the MoD, Weston’s experiences in nuclear are being used by Great British Energy Nuclear, which is building the first small modular reactors with the Rolls-Royce design in North Wales.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero are also tapping into her expertise to support with the creation of a nuclear regulation bill that will work towards helping the country reach its energy security goals and net zero faster.

Women working in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) make up less than a third of the UK’s workforce in the industries. This is a figure Weston is passionate about improving.

“I just think it’s essential,” Weston said.

“We’ve made no material change from a little over 20% in the last decade in the number of women in the nuclear sector, not just in STEM subjects.

“If we don’t access the entirety of the population, we’re just missing a massive trick.

“I still think this there’s more we can do to be a bit more imaginative about how we attract women and indeed many men who don’t necessarily think of STEM careers.”