Lynn Willis, who has helped to keep the site safe for over 30 years, has been awarded an MBE. 

One of the linchpins of Sellafield’s Covid-19 response has been recognised for her efforts in the King’s Birthday Honours.

Whitehaven-based Lynn Willis has worked at Sellafield for 33 years in a variety of roles.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, she headed up the team which operated the on-site test and trace facility. It was the first non-NHS Covid-19 testing facility to be opened in the UK.

The facility was set up in May 2020 and tested employees, their families, and supply chain workers until Covid-19 restrictions were lifted in April 2022.

It was vital in protecting Sellafield workers and the wider community and ensuring the nuclear facility could maintain safe and secure operations throughout the pandemic.

Earlier in her career Lynn was also instrumental in making changes to site security arrangements which have allowed the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) to concentrate on counter terrorism.

Key changes here included Lynn implementing a 2012 contract with a civilian security organisation to replace CNC in operating security checks at site entrance points.

Lynn said:

I was completely blown away when I was told I was going to get the honour. To be on the King’s list for the first time since the Coronation makes it even more special.

Even though it’s my name next to the award, in my heart I’m sharing this with all the people I’ve worked with to deliver the things I have.

There’s no ‘I’ in ‘team’ and none of this would have been possible without the help and support of colleagues.

Martin Chown, Sellafield chief executive officer, said:

Huge congratulations to Lynn for this richly-deserved recognition. I visited the test and trace facility frequently during the pandemic to see first-hand the rigour and enthusiasm the team were putting into helping keep the virus at bay. I was always enormously impressed by the whole team.

Lynn’s contribution in helping keep the Sellafield site safe and secure is also part of the vital work done day in, day out by every single nuclear professional working at Sellafield.