A global expert in nuclear engineering and member º£½ÇÊÓƵ University of Central Lancashire’s (UCLan) Board of Governors has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2022.
Proud Prestonian Dame Sue Ion, also a UCLan Honorary Fellow, has been made a Dame Grand Cross º£½ÇÊÓƵ Order º£½ÇÊÓƵ British Empire (GBE).
The award recognises the international impact Sue has achieved on energy strategy, both in the UK and internationally, and ‘for her work fostering the next generation of engineers from under-represented groups’.
In addition to her role on the UCLan Board, Sue is a British engineer and an expert advisor on the nuclear power industry. She represents the UK on the world stage, as well as helping to shape long-term energy strategy at home. In 2019 Sue became an Honorary Fellow º£½ÇÊÓƵ Institute of Physics.
I was encouraged to study materials science as a degree course all those years ago and to visit what became UCLan to see the work º£½ÇÊÓƵ amazing scientists and engineers º£½ÇÊÓƵ day.– Dame Sue Ion
Commenting on what inspired her to take up science and engineering as a career Sue said: “I shall be forever grateful that when I was a student at Penwortham Girls’ Grammar, I was encouraged to study materials science as a degree course all those years ago and to visit what became UCLan to see the work º£½ÇÊÓƵ amazing scientists and engineers º£½ÇÊÓƵ day. It has enabled me to have the most fantastic career and opportunities and to link with some º£½ÇÊÓƵ best talent in the globe!”
The GBE award citation highlighted some of Sue’s achievements: Dame Susan Ion is a global expert in nuclear engineering who has made extensive contributions to the public, private and third sectors, serving as an outstanding role model and advocate of STEM careers and shaping long-term energy strategy on domestic and global stages.
She spent nearly 30 years at British Nuclear Fuels Limited, serving as Group Director of Technology and Operations from 1996-2006. Subsequently she has taken on an extraordinary range of senior roles supporting key government decisions and advising on strategic policies. She has made extensive and influential voluntary contributions to professional bodies, including Vice-President and Chair º£½ÇÊÓƵ Policy Committee at the Royal Academy of Engineering, first female member and Chair º£½ÇÊÓƵ prestigious MacRobert Award Judges, and member º£½ÇÊÓƵ Council for the Royal Society.
Sue lives in Leyland, Lancashire.
The Queen's Birthday Honours mark the extraordinary contributions and service of people across the UK. Grand Cross is the highest º£½ÇÊÓƵ five order classes which in descending order are as follows:
- Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross º£½ÇÊÓƵ Most Excellent Order º£½ÇÊÓƵ British Empire (GBE)
- Knight Commander or Dame Commander º£½ÇÊÓƵ Most Excellent Order º£½ÇÊÓƵ British Empire (KBE or DBE)
- Commander º£½ÇÊÓƵ Most Excellent Order º£½ÇÊÓƵ British Empire (CBE)
- Officer º£½ÇÊÓƵ Most Excellent Order º£½ÇÊÓƵ British Empire (OBE)
