Dr Rayment, who serves as a University Board Member at the University of Lancashire, is internationally renowned for her leadership and technical expertise in the nuclear sector.
Her career spans decades of strategic and operational roles, including Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) Board Member, Chief Science and Technology Officer at the UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory and President of the UK Nuclear Institute. She has also been a tireless advocate for diversity and inclusion, mentoring women into STEM careers and championing social mobility and LGBTQ+ inclusion.
Alongside her University role, Fiona holds numerous influential positions. She is Vice-Chair of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency’s Steering Committee, Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Energy Division at CEA – the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission, and a Non-Executive Member of the UK Space Agency Steering Board. She also advises the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) Science and Technology Council and sits on the Office of Nuclear Regulation Chief Nuclear Inspector’s Independent Advisory Panel.
My career as an engineer in the nuclear industry has enabled me to work on so many interesting projects and meet countless wonderful people, both in the UK and internationally– Dame Dr Fiona Rayment - University of Lancashire Board Member
Fiona is a chartered chemist and engineer with a PhD in chemistry from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, and is a fellow of the UK Nuclear Institute, Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Royal Society of Chemistry and the American Nuclear Society.
Speaking about the honour, Dame Fiona said: “It is a huge privilege for me to receive this honour. My family and I are immensely proud that my work has been recognised in this way. My career as an engineer in the nuclear industry has enabled me to work on so many interesting projects and meet countless wonderful people, both in the UK and internationally.
"Nuclear provides clean and reliable energy and as an engineer working on such worthwhile projects I continue to engage on both exciting and rewarding opportunities. I’m especially honoured that those opportunities include the chance to play a leading role in driving inclusion throughout our sector.”
It is a huge privilege for me to receive this honour. My family and I are immensely proud that my work has been recognised in this way– Dame Dr Fiona Rayment - University of Lancashire Board Member
Her exceptional contributions have previously also been recognised with an OBE in 2017 and the French Légion d’Honneur in 2020. Most recently, she received the prestigious Frank Whittle Medal from the Royal Academy of Engineering for her engineering leadership and innovation.
The University of Lancashire is proud to celebrate Dame Fiona’s remarkable achievements and her ongoing commitment to advancing engineering, innovation, and diversity on a global scale.