“Where you really start adding value, is where you start talking about what you think!” Gwen Parry-Jones, Chief Executive, Magnox Limited

Are We Nearly There Yet?

Gwen Parry-Jones is Chief Executive of Magnox Ltd and President of the Nuclear Institute. Gwen was awarded an OBE in 2019 for services to science and technology.

Gwen lives on the island of Anglesey in North Wales near Wylfa power station. She also has a passion for horses.

She grew up in North Wales and also in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia as her dad went to work there. After a few years of living abroad, she came back home to a boarding school in North Wales which gave her, her independence. Her head teacher, Mr Peacock, was a huge influence and taught her about the importance of every individual having a view and requiring respect.

She went to college in Colwyn Bay and then moved to Manchester to read Physics joining the physics undergraduate population – she liked the uniqueness of there not being many female students. She also enjoyed the Manchester city lifestyle.

Gwen then went on to do banking and finance in Bangor at a master’s level. Following this, Gwen joined the Central Electricity Generating Board at Magnox Wylfa as a reactor physicist. When she first started as a nuclear operator, there were no female changing rooms, toilets or work clothes!

Gwen successfully developed her career within the nuclear industry to become the first female station director of Heysham 1 – an achievement she still feels very privileged to have done to this day.

The turning point in Gwen’s career is when she stopped trying to do everything herself and realised it was okay not to know everything and she believes you really start adding value when you start talking about what you think.

For more information visit: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/gwen-parry-jones-b489a594