Earlier this year, Nick Tomkinson, Director at Sunesis Solutions, earned his designation as Certified Nuclear Security Professional. We asked Mr Tomkinson, who is an active Member of the WINS community, his opinion on a range of issues from his key takeaways from the WINS Academy programme to how incorporating gender parity can positively influence the nuclear security field.
What is your background and experience with WINS?
I have a background in security and intelligence having worked for the UK Government for 15 years before moving into the private sector in 2015. I have been fortunate enough to have engaged across most elements of the fuel cycle, in both the civil and defence sectors, provided advice at the highest levels of government and industry and to have worked all over the world. I am now a nuclear security consultant and am setting up a new global nuclear security management consultancy with my business partner to support the global industry and grow the next generation of nuclear security experts.
I first became aware of WINS back in 2013 when I was leading on operational and intelligence issues for civil nuclear in the UK government. Others in my area were funding WINS to help with enhancing the skills and knowledge of the international nuclear security community. Having been involved in counter-proliferation work for a number of years, this immediately jumped out as something I wanted to know about and be part of. I have followed WINS ever since, attending site visits, presentations, webinars and introducing others at every opportunity to them.
“A failure to be diverse can only have a negative impact on nuclear security. Unless we’re made up of a range of backgrounds, experiences, approaches, personalities and styles, we will never develop as an industry to meet the new and evolving threats.”
What was your WINS Academy elective, and why did you choose it?
I chose Nuclear Security Governance as my elective. For me, senior decision makers are more often not fully informed or engaged on security as they are on safety. As a nuclear security consultant, part of my role is being able to explain what is required and why to senior decision makers. Anything that helps me to explain what is required of them, in a language that they understand, has to be good for everyone. It was also important that I experienced an elective that I’m likely to recommend to clients.
What was the most rewarding experience about the WINS Academy programme?
It was probably just finding the time again to refresh my knowledge of the basics and the satisfaction of passing the exams. In addition, the scenario nature of the elective was engaging, as the narrative definitely made it seem more relevant and as such, more enjoyable.
How do you think that becoming a CNSP will help further your career goals?
It’s about demonstrating to myself and others my commitment to continuing professional development. If we want to raise the standards globally, then I need to demonstrate my willingness to constantly be open to learning, which will in turn hopefully be demonstrated in the work that I perform with my clients and increase the likelihood of further engagement. It will also help in understanding the current type, content and style of training being offered so that I can help support the evolution and development of it.
How can advancing gender parity improve your field?
A failure to be diverse can only have a negative impact on nuclear security. Unless we’re made up of a range of backgrounds, experiences, approaches, personalities and styles, we will never develop as an industry to meet the new and evolving threats. We need to demonstrate that this industry is at the cutting edge of what is possible, which is as much about growing confidence in nuclear, and the only way to do this is by making sure that we’re engaging and utilising as broad a field of individuals as possible. Gender parity is fundamental to achieving this.
What advice would you give women who are in or entering your field?
Definitely do it. It’s an incredibly rewarding field and subject, with many areas of expertise and opportunities within it. Nuclear security is not just about the physical protection of nuclear material, it’s so much more than that; don’t be put off by historical images and perceptions. Find a role model, grow your network, join a group of similar professionals, get yourself a mentor, develop your knowledge in your chosen area and don’t be afraid to ask why. Work out what it is you enjoy most, then find someone working in that space and reach out them, I’ve always found this to be a very welcoming community. I’m always happy to chat with anyone and provide whatever advice I can as we all benefit from this.
