Simon Bowen

Simon Bowen is the Interim Chair for Great British Energy - Nuclear (GBE-N), having previously been appointed as Industry Adviser to lead the set-up of the organisation. Simon started his career as an engineering officer in the Royal Navy serving on submarines. He has extensive experience in the petrochemicals, renewables, civil nuclear and defence nuclear sectors. Simon played a key role in the development of the Nuclear Sector Deal as part of the government’s Industrial Strategy. Simon joined Babcock International in 2015 where he was Chief Executive for nuclear. He was responsible for the Cavendish Nuclear business and the defence nuclear portfolio providing naval base services and submarine maintenance at Devonport, Clyde and Rosyth. He retired from Babcock in December 2021. Simon led the scoping phase of GBN from May to September 2022, setting out the strategy and the key steps to rebuild the UK’s generating nuclear capacity. This included extensive engagement across government, with vendors, the supply chain, academia and others in the international nuclear sector. In September, Simon delivered the scoping report to the then-PM and the Secretary of State of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero ( DESNZ ) with his recommendations. He continues as the Chair of Devonport Royal Dockyard and sits on the Council of the RNLI. Simon joined the board of Rolls Royce Submarines as a Non-Executive Director in December 2021 and resigned in March 2023 following his appointment as GBN Interim Chair.