Stuart Crooks, a prominent figure in the nuclear industry, returns to Heysham where his storied 40-year career began, to reflect on his journey and encourage future engineers.

A nuclear industry leader who started out as an apprentice and went on to lead some of the UK's most impressive energy projects has returned to the Heysham power stations as he prepares for retirement after a remarkable 40-year career in the industry.

Stuart Crooks CBE visited the Lancashire site as part of his retirement programme, reflecting on a career that began as a 16-year-old electrical apprentice for a mail order factory local to his hometown, near Wigan.

On completion of his apprenticeship, Stuart joined the nuclear industry at Heysham 2 power station, where he worked on the installation and commissioning of the main computer control and protection systems.

At the time, civil nuclear power was still a relatively young industry in the UK, creating opportunities for a new generation of engineers.

Nuclear industry leader Stuart Crooks CBE returns to Heysham where he started his 40 year career. Here he is in the reactor hall at Heysham power station.

placeholder image — Nuclear industry leader Stuart Crooks CBE returns to Heysham where he started his 40 year career. Here he is in the reactor hall at Heysham power station.

Over the next four decades, Stuart built a career spanning technical, engineering and leadership roles at power stations across the country including Dungeness, Hartlepool and Heysham.

His journey ultimately led him to become CEO of Hinkley Point C in Somerset, Europe's largest construction project and Britain's first new nuclear power station in a generation.

In recognition of his long-term contribution to the industry, Stuart was awarded a CBE in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to nuclear energy.

Now, as he prepares to retire, Stuart has returned to the site where it all began to reflect on the people, opportunities and experiences that shaped his career.

From left: Andy Bulloch (HY2 plant manager,) Alison Crooks (Stuart's wife), Stuart Crooks and Joe Struthers (HY2 station director).

Stuart said: "It's always special to come back to Heysham. Over the course of my career, I've worked at several sites across the country, but my early years here played a huge part in shaping the engineer and leader I became.

"When I started work as a young apprentice, I could never have imagined where that journey would take me. The nuclear industry opened doors, gave me opportunities to learn from fantastic people and allowed me to work on projects that make a real difference to people's lives.

"As I prepare for retirement, one of the things I'm most passionate about is encouraging the next generation to consider careers in engineering and energy. The industry continues to offer incredible opportunities to those willing to learn and challenge themselves and I hope my own journey shows what's possible."

During the visit, Stuart took the opportunity to tour the stations one final time, visiting the reactor buildings and turbine halls where he began his career in the nuclear industry, bringing his professional journey full circle.

While on site, Stuart spoke with employees from across both Heysham stations about his career, retirement plans and the lessons he has learned over four decades in the sector. He also highlighted the important role apprenticeships continue to play in developing future industry leaders.

Stuart added: "The nuclear industry has given me an incredible career and I'm proud to see stations like Heysham continuing to invest in the people who will shape its future.”

Although stepping down from his executive role, Stuart will remain closely involved in the UK nuclear sector as a Non-Executive Board Member for Sizewell C in Suffolk and EDF's Nuclear Operations business, and as an advisor to the Cottam Small Modular Reactor (SMR) project in Nottinghamshire.