Sellafield Staff Member Honored in King’s Birthday Awards

A key figure in Sellafield’s Covid-19 response has been honored for her contributions in the King’s Birthday Honours.

Lynn Willis, based in Whitehaven, has dedicated 33 years to various roles at Sellafield.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, she led the team responsible for the on-site test and trace facility, the first non-NHS Covid-19 testing site established in the UK.

Set up in May 2020, the facility provided testing for employees, their families, and supply chain workers until Covid-19 restrictions were lifted in April 2022.

This facility played a crucial role in safeguarding Sellafield workers and the broader community, ensuring the nuclear facility could continue safe and secure operations throughout the pandemic.

Earlier in her career, Lynn was key in implementing changes to site security measures that allowed the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) to focus on counter-terrorism efforts.

Significant changes included Lynn establishing a contract in 2012 with a civilian security firm to take over security checks at the site’s entrance points from the CNC.

Lynn remarked:

I was utterly surprised when I learned I was receiving this honor. Being recognized on the King’s list for the first time since the Coronation makes it even more meaningful.

Although my name is associated with the award, I share this recognition with all my colleagues who have worked alongside me to bring our projects to fruition.

There’s no ‘I’ in ‘team,’ and none of this would have been achievable without the support and assistance of my coworkers.

Martin Chown, CEO of Sellafield, commented:

Congratulations to Lynn for this well-deserved recognition. I frequently visited the test and trace facility during the pandemic to witness the dedication and enthusiasm of the team in their efforts to curb the virus. I was consistently impressed by everyone involved.

Lynn’s role in maintaining safety and security at the Sellafield site is a vital part of the essential work carried out daily by every nuclear professional at Sellafield.