Nuclear News and Manufacturing in the North East

Posted on 02 September 2026

This session will begin with a snapshot of what’s happening across the nuclear sector in the 
North East, followed by the latest update from X-Energy. 
Chris Harris, Operations Manager at Darchem Engineering, will then provide an insight into 
developing young people in manufacturing for the nuclear industry, before Philip Vaughan of 
the Nuclear Institute shares some of his experiences navigating the human factors 
challenges of working in the sector. 
We’ll round off the evening with a panel discussion exploring ‘Human Factors in Nuclear – 
the biggest challenge?’, with plenty of opportunity for everyone to join the conversation. 
 
Thursday 17th September – Nuclear News, Nuclear Manufacturing and 
Human Factors 

5:15 Pizza and drinks 
6:00 Welcome and Safety – Gary Riches, Hartlepool College 
6:05 Nuclear News – James Bewley, Chair, NI NE Branch 
6:10 X-Energy latest – Leon Flexman, X-Energy 
6:30 Developing Young People in Manufacturing – Chris Harris, Operations Manager, 
Darchem Engineering 
6:50 ‘Some Nuclear Experiences: Navigating the Human Factor’ – Philip Vaughan, NI 
7:05 Panel discussion: ‘Human Factors in Nuclear – the Biggest Challenge?’ 
7:20 Summary and future events – James Bewley 
7:15 Close 

Book here: https://www.nuclearinst.com/events/events/north-east-branch-nuclear-news-september