Our People is a regular feature focusing on staff at the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and the work we do every day to help keep the nuclear industry safe and secure. It aims to bring our jobs to life while increasing understanding of our role among key stakeholders.
Today, we meet James Francis and learn more about his role as a Nominated Site Inspector for Dounreay.
As a key regulatory link with Dounreay, James travels to the UK's most northerly nuclear site every other month from his home in Preston.
"People often underestimate just how far north Dounreay is – it's three hours north of Inverness, and on a clear day, you can see the Orkney Islands," James says. "I sometimes joke that I'm a travel agent for people heading up there, providing guidance on how to get to such a remote location."
James particularly enjoys the hands-on aspects of his role: "I love getting out on plant, speaking with people, dealing with day-to-day issues on site, and seeing work getting done.”
With over twenty years of experience in the nuclear industry, James joined ONR in 2011 as a contractor working on stress testing following the Fukushima incident, becoming a permanent staff member in 2012.
Prior to ONR, he worked in the Regulatory Support Department at Serco, providing consultation on regulatory matters. His diverse background includes work on nuclear reactor design and substantiation for naval nuclear reactors, as well as involvement in the Astute class naval training project developing simulators for nuclear submarines.
"I used to work in an office that had a control room for a submarine," James explains. "My career has taken me through various sectors including offshore oil and gas and the rail industry before I found my home in nuclear regulation."
Among his proudest professional accomplishments, James cites supporting the UK nuclear industry’s response to the Fukushima incident and acting as the UK’s International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES) officer for three years.
"I also played a positive role in influencing the decision to remove a legacy crane pedestal at Devonport," he adds. "And maintaining our oversight of operational reactors through COVID was a significant challenge that we overcame."
When asked about what he values most about working for ONR, James highlights the diversity of work.
"You can work in submarines, waste facilities, power stations, and in the international arena. Once I was part of a team that was called upon at 2 o’clock in the morning to provide advice to the government following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It’s things like that that really stick out and remind you this isn’t an ordinary job."
Through my time at ONR, the opportunities to travel as part of my roles have been fantastic – I've been to Japan, Sweden, Italy, and Vienna."
James also appreciates ONR's approach to flexible working: "The hybrid working arrangements and the level of trust placed in us is a real advantage of working here."
Outside of his professional responsibilities, James is a father of two girls aged eight and ten.
"Being a dad occupies most of my time outside of work," he smiles. "I also coach one of their football teams, which takes a lot more time than you might expect. We also enjoy cycling together."
When he gets time to himself, James enjoys DIY projects and recently built an extension with his father. He's also passionate about fitness and has an unusual claim to fame.
"In 2008, I won an urban adventure racing competition in Dublin, which is like a scavenger hunt across a city. From this I got to attend the world championships, a three-day race and scavenger hunt featuring participants from 14 countries, which were held in Morocco and filmed for National Geographic – it was quite an experience!"
Currently in his third year as a site inspector for Dounreay (roles typically last up to five years), James is looking forward to his next challenge at ONR.
"I'm currently picking up responsibilities with GE Healthcare, and I'm interested to see what role ONR has planned for me next. Working in new build would be fascinating – being involved in construction and operation of new nuclear facilities."