Celebrating recent employee success…
Over the past few weeks, some of our employees have celebrated major achievements in their careers. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication to developing their skills and continuing their learning in their field.
Congratulations to Liam Davies, who recently achieved his chartered status in Project Management by the Association for Project Management! Liam says, “It feels brilliant to have finally secured my APM Project Management Chartership! This has been a huge personal goal, one I’ve been aiming for since it was introduced. I put serious effort into studying for the interview, and for me, this achievement is the ultimate, official recognition of the knowledge and passion I’ve invested in project management over the years”.
Well done to Piers Anderson for achieving his Chartered Engineer status (CEng) from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)! Piers says, “It feels great that I have proven my competence and professionalism within engineering, I am proud of this achievement”.
Congratulations to Reece Storey-Apicella for completing his apprenticeship and becoming an Assistant Mechanical Design Engineer. Reece says, “My apprenticeship has been an exciting and rewarding journey, offering many opportunities to learn and build my skills. I’m grateful for the support from Cyclife Aquila Nuclear and my colleagues throughout, including the qualifications, growing responsibilities and guidance from respected mentors. Completing this apprenticeship has given me a strong foundation to build upon as I continue to develop a rewarding career in engineering”.
Here’s to continued growth and development in 2026!
Christmas Jumper Day 2025
Happy Christmas Jumper Day! 🎅
We’ve been getting festive in our Christmas jumpers this week while teaming up with Cyclife UK to raise money for Save the Children UK!
Save the Children works tirelessly to provide life-saving food and medicine, combat illnesses like pneumonia, reunite families, and support education for children worldwide. It’s an incredible cause that truly deserves the recognition.
As part of the Cyclife Group, it is our duty to act collectively and take care. By coming together as Cyclife within the UK, we can go the extra mile to raise money and awareness for the important charities which effect the world around us.
Thank you to every one who has donated, so far, we have raised a total of £280!
Radionuclide Production in the UK
This year, we were a proud sponsor of the third Radionuclide Production in the UK meeting in Manchester, co-hosted by Royal Society of Chemistry and National Physical Laboratory (NPL)!
Our Business Development Manager, Paul Adlem represented Cyclife Aquila Nuclear and was thrilled to witness firsthand the incredible momentum building in this vital sector!
The topics discussed at the event reinforced our confidence in the UK’s nuclear medicine future, examples include:
➡️ MRIP Programme translating investment into capability – Seeing tangible results like QMUL/Birmingham’s astatine-211 production breakthrough and NPL’s 225Ac advances demonstrates how GB funding is creating real domestic capacity.
➡️ The innovation ecosystem is maturing rapidly. From Bristol’s Proteus Project, developing compact accelerators, to UKAEA exploring fusion applications, the breadth of technical approaches gives us multiple pathways to success.
➡️ End-to-end supply chain visibility. Particularly impressed by presentations spanning fundamental research through to operational delivery (Sheffield’s Tc-99m regional network serving 10+ NHS hospitals shows what robust supply looks like).
➡️ True partnership models are emerging. The collaboration between research institutions, industry partners, clinical end-users and organisations like Cyclife Aquila Nuclear is creating the foundation for sustainable growth.
At Cyclife Aquila Nuclear, we understand that nuclear expertise extends far beyond traditional applications. Seeing researchers tackle everything from next-generation isotope production to separation technologies, reinforces why we are committed to supporting this sector’s development. Most significantly, this marks a shift from discussing potential to demonstrating progress toward genuine UK self-sufficiency in medical radionuclides.
We are proud to be part of an ecosystem driving such meaningful innovation in healthcare.
UKAEA’s 15th Supplier Event
Earlier this month, our Business Development Manager, Paul Adlem attended the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) 15th Suppliers’ Event.
As CAN is committed to supporting the fusion development sector, this event provided invaluable insights into the evolving commercial landscape and upcoming opportunities in both fusion development and Cullum decommissioning projects.
There were multiple conversations and key areas of interest, including:
➡️ The JET Decommissioning & Repurposing Programme
➡️ Understanding the “outside-in” approach and upcoming auxiliary building clearance work
➡️ STEP Programme progression
➡️ Design and commercial activities at the West Burton site
➡️ LIBRTI tritium breeding programme.
➡️ Facility design and procurement opportunities worth £26M+ across multiple workstreams
The breadth of procurement opportunities, from building works and tritium handling equipment to facility services and operational readiness, aligns perfectly with our expertise in supporting complex nuclear projects.
We’re excited to contribute our capabilities to advancing both fusion energy development and safe decommissioning operations.
International Men’s Day 2025
On the 19th November, we celebrated International Men’s Day. The day recognises the positive contributions that men have made to our workplaces, families and communities. While this day serves to celebrate men’s achievements, it also reminds us of the challenges men face and how important it is to raise awareness of these issues.
At CAN we are proud of the men in our workplace and believe in fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone, regardless of their gender, feels supported. 🤝
This year’s theme is ‘Celebrating Men and Boys’, so we asked a selection of our male employees ‘In your opinion, what are the positive values men and boys bring to their families, communities, and the world?’
Here’s what they said ⬇️
Russell Sloan – Head of Projects
In my opinion men and boys demonstrate positive values such as reliability, responsibility and support to families and communities. This can be anything from immediate family, residing in the same home, to distant relatives and friends across the globe. These diverse contributions demonstrate positive role model attributes and help foster and maintain relationships both on a personal as well as a professional level.
Charlie Collings – Mechanical Design Engineer
In my opinion, men can bring meaningful strengths to their families, communities, and the world – values such as perseverance and resilience to overcome challenges, leadership and guidance to create supportive environments, and a problem-solving mindset that helps drive positive progress.
Keith Strong
Introducing Keith, our Senior Mechanical Design Engineer! We asked Keith a few questions to get to know more about his role at CAN and what is on his bucket list!
What does a typical workday look like for you?
I generally commute or work remotely, attend early meetings, and set daily priorities. My role involves researching and presenting product possibilities, interpreting customer requirements, and clarifying objectives. I focus on problem-solving, colleague engagement and evaluating alternative methods and timelines, report on varied topics and ensure all information I deliver is accurate, timely, and properly referenced. Continuous review and updates are essential, along with staying informed about emerging and allied developments in the field.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learnt from your career so far?
Look for the positive in every situation, walk away from negativity. Help and encourage people whenever you can and review and consider international perspectives. Take an interest in people and remain calm when others are getting impatient or frustrated.
What is your proudest professional achievement to date?
Designed a sensor for an autonomous cow yard poo collecting machine that evolved into a beacon-free navigation system for exploring lunar caverns. Originally, it had to detect waste in harsh conditions and cope with Mud, Moisture, Methane, Ammonia operate without GPS or visual mapping, self-locate, create maps, avoid obstacles, and operate day or night in all weather extremes. Core tech included Doppler radar → point cloud → video interpretation → vector-based mapping with GIS, plus gas and thermal sensing, rugged protection, and AI adaptability. For lunar use, organic detection changed to volatile mapping, Methane sensing identifies trapped gases, Thermal sensing finds safe zones, and its robust design thinking lends itself to the lunar environment. This was an interesting innovation from humble beginnings to use in space exploration.
What is on your bucket list?
Here are my favourites. In space system & engineering design using small modular reactors for planetary and interplanetary missions, ideally Thorium-based.
I’d love to see some of my earlier designs, like autonomous wave propelled marine vessels space adaptation be included for Titan’s methane lake exploration missions, complete with subsurface drones & aerial scouts relaying data to orbiting satellites. I also designed a Stirling engine design that overcomes traditional limitations, and plan to build & test it soon. And if I can apply any of this and allied engineering work to support Ukraine in a meaningful way, that would be a fulfilling part of my journey.
If you could have dinner with one historical figure, who would it be and why?
My first choice would be Sir Winston Churchill—a figure of immense historical insight whose wit, eloquence, and firsthand accounts of World War II and global change remain deeply relevant. His sharp humour and love of spirited debate would make for memorable conversation. A prolific writer, painter, and lover of fine food, Churchill’s ability to learn from setbacks and make tough decisions under pressure offers poignant lessons. Listening to him directly, rather than through retrospective interpretation would be invaluable to me. Joining us would be Reginald J. Mitchell and Geoffrey de Havilland, especially to explore the design & thinking behind the Spitfire and Mosquito. I’d relish the chance to discuss every aspect of aircraft design and understand their thoughts on how they balanced engineering challenges with functional demands.
Interested in working for CAN? Check out our latest vacancies here: Vacancies – Cyclife Aquila Nuclear | EDF Group
Marie Aylward
Introducing Marie, our Senior Administrator! We asked Marie a few questions to get to know more about her role at CAN and what is on her bucket list!
What does a typical workday look like for you?
No two days are ever quite the same for me, and that’s one of the things I love most about my job. My mornings usually start with a strong cup of coffee – a quick check of my inbox to see what the day has in store and a check of the Admin calendar to see who and what we have going on throughout the day. From there, it’s all about keeping things running smoothly — supporting my colleagues and making sure everyone has what they need. I’m the kind of person who loves bringing order to chaos (or on occasions causing the chaos!), so there’s real satisfaction in knowing that the details I manage help the bigger picture come together. The afternoons often fly by with project work/planning, organising travel, raising PO’s, ordering etc. and a few problem-solving moments sprinkled in. By the end of the day, I’ll take a step back, reflect on what’s been achieved (or not) and get ready to do it all again tomorrow. It’s a busy role, but it’s one that keeps me motivated and with that every day brings its own new challenge.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learnt from your career so far?
People matter most. Plans and processes are important, but it’s collaboration, support and understanding others that truly makes a difference. Every interaction is a chance to learn, grow and make an impact.
What is your proudest professional achievement to date?
It’s an unexhausted list but the one staple to remain on the top is to visit British Columbia, Canada – Bears up close (as long as I’m not their snack option), wilderness and adventure!
What is on your bucket list?
It’s an unexhausted list but the one staple to remain on the top is to visit British Columbia, Canada – Bears up close (as long as I’m not their snack option), wilderness and adventure!
If you could have dinner with one historical figure, who would it be and why?
Marilyn Monroe or Audrey Hepburn, as well as being two of the most beautiful women ever known, both were far more than icons – Marilyn’s wit and resilience, Audrey’s grace and kindness. I’d love to hear of their stories and adventures over dinner and a few G&T’s!
Interested in working for CAN? Check out our latest vacancies here: Vacancies – Cyclife Aquila Nuclear | EDF Group
CAN attended the British Nuclear Medicine Society (BNMS) Autumn Meeting 2025
On 30th September, our our Scientific Officer, Amin Choudhury and Business Development Manager, Paul Adlem, attended the British Nuclear Medicine Society (BNMS) Autumn Meeting 2025 at The Oval in London.
The event provided them with the opportunity to build valuable connections with industry leaders who are driving innovation in nuclear medicine and radiopharmaceuticals. A big thank you to Scitech, Siemens, George Hunter from Lablogic, Life Molecular Imaging, and the teams at Life Couriers and Nuvia Tech for the insightful discussions.
There is a growing momentum around targeted alpha therapy (TAT), with exciting developments occurring across the UK’s radiopharmacy sites. It’s encouraging to see the industry aligning on quality control standards, transportation solutions, and the manufacturing capabilities needed to deliver these promising therapies to patients.
The key takeaways from this event include the importance of collaboration as we navigate the evolving landscape and the UK’s positioning as a significant player in the development of next-generation radiopharmaceutical infrastructure. 💡
We look forward to the Spring 2026 meeting in Manchester!
Fusion for Medical Radionuclides
CAN attended the event hosted by UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) Innovation
Last week, our Scientific Officer, Amin Choudhury and Business Development Manager, Paul Adlem represented Cyclife Aquila Nuclear at the Fusion for Medical Radionuclides Event at Culham Campus, organised by UK Atomic Energy Authority Innovation. The discussions about how fusion technology could revolutionise the production of medical radionuclides were truly enlightening.
The UK currently faces a limited capacity for medical radionuclides, which puts the availability of nuclear medicine treatments at risk. However, the high-energy neutrons produced by deuterium-tritium fusion could open new pathways for creating novel medical radionuclides that are not currently available through existing methods. This development aligns perfectly with our mission to provide comprehensive solutions for processing and supporting nuclear medicine research.
As we continue to support the UK’s journey toward commercialising fusion energy, events like this highlight the vital connection between our fusion expertise and advancements in nuclear medicine.
The potential impact of fusion technology extends far beyond power generation; it will lead to life-saving medical treatments, which is precisely the transformative effect we are passionate about enabling.
Thank you to UKAEA Innovation for hosting such an impactful event. The insights gained will inform our ongoing support for both fusion energy development and innovation in nuclear medicine.
An interview with Murray Marchant
CAN’s Leadership and Management Training Programme
We interviewed Murray Marchant, one of our Principal Mechanical Design Engineers and participant of our internal leadership and management training programme. Here’s what he said…
1. What is the L&M Training Programme?
The internal CAN L&M training programme is a structured development pathway designed to cultivate future leaders within CAN by building both the hard and soft skills essential for effective leadership and business-level management.
2. Tell me about your journey on the L&M Training Programme
I’ve been on the course for around two years, mentored by Nara Ringrose and supported by the senior management team, during which I’ve had the opportunity to develop key skills in assessing business risk, shaping business strategies, and managing organisational change. A highlight has been completing a training module on Organisational Change Management, which deepened my understanding of the complexities and challenges involved in driving effective and sustainable change.
In addition to these strategic skills, the course has also helped me strengthen my formal presentation and public speaking abilities, which are essential for communicating ideas and leading teams with confidence.
3. Why did you decide to join the L&M Training Programme?
I joined the Leadership and Management Training Programme to grow as a leading engineer within the business. My goal was to address gaps in my core capabilities—areas I may not have had the opportunity to develop fully in my day-to-day role—so that I can lead teams more effectively and be prepared for future challenges.
Continued professional development is very important to me, and this course has provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen the leadership and management skills I felt I was lacking. It has already helped me enhance my impact in my current role and better align with the evolving needs of the business.
4. What is the most valuable thing that you learnt so far?
The most valuable insight I’ve gained so far is the critical role of active listening within broader communication strategies. Coming from an engineering background, the training has broadened my perspective, introducing leadership and management concepts that extend beyond the scope of traditional engineering practice. It also helped me challenge and overcome any internal biases, allowing me to fully appreciate the value of what was being taught.
5. Have you applied any of the learnings in your current role?
I found the training on change management particularly insightful, especially regarding the importance of effective communication and the various types of communication required to support project-level change and day-to-day management activities. The one-to-one sessions and constructive feedback helped to structure my understanding of the main key topics.