Linda has dedicated 20 years to growing her skills in the nuclear sector, holding various senior finance leadership and director positions. In 2020 she made the bold decision to transition outside of nuclear and into entrepreneurship. After four rewarding years of running her own business, Linda returned to the nuclear sector at a time of significant industrial change, working to champion the net zero agenda and navigate shifts across the sector.
Learn about Linda’s journey, including her challenges with imposter syndrome, insights into building a strong network, and her ongoing work to support the next generation of women in a male-dominated industry.
In addition to working my way up the ladder in the nuclear industry, setting up my own business at age 48 is a big one! I decided to leave a fast-paced career in a corporate environment to pursue entrepreneurship, establishing my own consultancy business to help local small and medium-sized enterprises navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was a significant shift for me, in terms of both my career and in my confidence. Initially, I was concerned that the skills I’d developed throughout my time in the nuclear industry wouldn’t be transferable to other industries or smaller organisations. Taking the leap of faith in myself and learning that my experience and skills were relevant outside of the corporate space was incredibly rewarding and a turning point for my personal growth.
In my early days, trying to find a work-life balance was like trying to find the Holy Grail! I was so ambitious and committed to my work, often putting in long hours, that I didn't get my work-life balance right at all. I vividly recall going on an international trip when my daughter was just nine months old because I felt I had to prove I could both be a full-time mum and a full-time businesswoman.
As I’ve gained more experience, I’ve realised I don’t need to prove anything to anyone but myself. I feel like there’s an expectation for women to be 100% dedicated to their careers and 100% present at home, which felt impossible – because it is.
Now, I prioritise making time for myself, my friends, my family, and my hobbies – and I've found that I can still be successful in my career. It’s so important to find a balance that works for you.
Impostor syndrome has always been a big challenge for me. I’ve encountered many challenges being surrounded by what’s sometimes referred to as ‘pale, male, stale attitudes’, and it often tempered my ambitions. I had to work twice as hard to achieve success and often wondered if it was worth it.
Especially when working internationally, the culture and gender expectations were very different to what I was used to. There weren’t many women having discussions in the boardroom, and I started to question whether I belonged in leadership as a woman.
It took years of building trusting relationships with our international colleagues to break through these barriers. I had to learn how to build resilience, assert my position and firmly establish myself as a strong female leader. It didn’t happen overnight – it took a while for me to feel confident and for them to understand I had earned my place at the table – but being tenacious ultimately led to a very successful business partnership.
One of my former bosses has been a guiding force throughout my career. He offered invaluable advice and stood by me as a strong ally. His leadership style is quite different from mine, and that's where the real learning kicked in. He introduced me to the idea of 'win-win' discussions, highlighting the importance of making sure everyone feels they've gained something from their interactions with you. It's about the lasting impact of how you make people feel, not just what you say.
Over the years, I've sought wisdom from mentors and peers in various industries and stages in their careers. It’s important to expand your network outside your immediate cohort, so you can learn from a more diverse group of people.
Now, I'm delighted to have both the experience and confidence to pay it forward. Mentoring others is incredibly fulfilling, especially when I see the talent and potential in those I guide.
I've had the pleasure of working with Women in Nuclear to build development schemes and provide training to help women into senior roles. I'm proud to have been part of setting up a sustainable project that will continue to thrive and to help women achieve their goals.
When I became an entrepreneur in 2020, it showed me just how deep my network had become, with so many people to call on for advice and support when I needed it. For other people looking to build their network, I encourage you to ‘find your tribe’ by connecting with a wide group of people with different experiences. You never know when you'll need a fresh perspective.
Over the years, I’ve been actively involved in promoting diversity and supporting women in nuclear, serving as an ambassador for women in the industry.
When I first joined, it was a very male dominated sector and I felt unspoken pressure to act a certain way, and like I couldn't fully be myself as a woman. I had to adapt to survive in that environment for a long time.
A positive change is that we’re now more open to discussing diversity and gender representation. Twenty years ago, these conversations were almost non-existent, but now there's a greater willingness to address these issues and work towards positive change.
I’ve seen more women in senior leadership positions coming through the ranks, which is great – but there's still a long way to go to reach equity. Currently, only 13% of senior roles in nuclear are held by women. That’s really poor.
The Government's nuclear roadmap to diversity, along with initiatives from organisations like the Nuclear Institute and Women in Nuclear, set ambitious diversity targets. The Nuclear Sector deal commitments are to increase women in the nuclear industry from the current 20% to 40% by 2030.
But it’s one thing to set a target and another to make it happen. If we really want to make a change, we must work together. Collaboration across the industry will help to open more conversations and break down the barriers preventing real progress.
It often feels like we're moving at a snail's pace, which is frustrating. We can't just wait until 2051 for parity to happen.
Reforming the gender pay gap should be a priority. Today, there's no excuse for men and women with the same job and responsibilities not being paid equally. Despite having the same qualifications and experience, women are often overlooked and not advancing their careers at the same rate as their male counterparts. Providing equal opportunities could start to shift the dynamics in a meaningful way.
Unconscious gender bias is another real issue that needs to be addressed head-on with appropriate training and education. If we want to make real change, we need to be brave enough to call this out when we see it.
Creating inclusive policies and a culture that values diversity in leadership and perspectives isn’t just crucial for achieving parity, but for staying ahead in the market. Especially in competitive industries like nuclear, embracing diversity of thought can spark new ideas that give us an edge. When we embrace diversity, everyone’s a winner.
As women, we often have this little voice in our heads telling us “I can't do it, I’m not good enough.” We're too hard on ourselves, and it’s a mindset we need to change. We are incredible, experienced, and talented. To conquer that little voice, I try to remember that I can't fail; I can only learn. Any missteps are an opportunity to grow and move forward, not fall backwards.
I would tell my younger self to ask for help when you need it and take the time to build longing and trusted relationships very early in your career. We all need good council, so find a couple of good mentors and lean on them a helping hand. You’ll soon learn you’re not alone.
Looking back on my career so far, I can see there were times when I wasn't my authentic self. I realise now just how important it is to stay true to who you are and trust your gut instinct. If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.
My advice to other women is don’t be afraid to be authentically you, and don’t hold yourself back from new opportunities. What have you got to lose?
