NMP boss looks back on the first year running the nuclear site

Alan Irving talks to Graham Campbell - Edited Versionl

Graham Campbell, drawing on decades of business experience all over the world, turned all his attentions to the “Sellafield Project” from day one, lasting over three years.

One of the key factors was what NMP promised but moreover assured the NDA it could deliver for the West Cumbrian community.

“What we brought to the table was a unique mix of skills in operations, decommissioning, project management and the local knowledge – our UK, French, American mix pretty well met the requirements.”

How does he find it working not just for one but three masters? “Being in from the start helped giving me the benefit of working with the different cultures and the different ways of doing things. I could also draw on a lot of my own experience in different organisations and joint ventures in various parts of the world.”

Saving money? “I wouldn’t say saving money is the key, more a case of acting effectively and efficiently, delivering value for money. A big part of our bid was to demonstrate we could do it.”

And earning a £50million dividend? “We have fee mechanisms in place with the NDA based purely on measured, deliverable value.

“It’s an initial five-year contract and for this year we have performance-based incentives in place, all very clearly identified up front with the NDA. Right now I’d say we’ve delivered on all the agreed incentives and are quite happy we’re going to achieve what we set out to achieve.”

How important is the stakeholder involvement? “Total. I spent a lot of time from 2006, with others, understanding the stakeholder community needs, the socio-economic issues, so if we won the contract we’d have a running start, how we could work with people to make that side of things effective and give a real commitment to the community.

“Being a Northern lad, born in Manchester, I knew Cumbria pretty well, one of the first drivers to go over Hardknott Pass (in a Morris 10) and I can honestly saw I’ve learned more each week. The culture up here is very specific. I am aware of it, learning and listening. When somebody calls me a marra I’ll be very pleased indeed.