Sarah Cavanagh has joined the Sizewell C Supply Chain team at Suffolk Chamber of Commerce as Business Adviser
In her new role, Sarah will be helping local and regional businesses align themselves with the demands of working on a new nuclear build, in order to win contracts at the proposed Sizewell C power station.
Sarah studied law at Anglia Ruskin and spent 20-plus years in finance, mainly in London, before moving into an information consultancy role. She is now bringing her business skills back to her native East Anglia to champion local companies on the Sizewell C supply chain.
She said: “Last year, after a career break, I decided that work life balance was an important factor for me and family and I decided to look locally for my next challenge.
“The opportunity to join Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and especially the Sizewell C project came at the right time for me as supporting local business on a large-scale opportunity would certainly support my skills set.”
Sarah brings boundless energy to the role and says she sees positivity in every situation, finding fulfilment in offering help and services to others. She also fully appreciates the opportunities Sizewell C will bring in terms of a post-Covid economic boost, skills and apprenticeships, achieving net zero targets and in nurturing community spirit.
“We can learn from the experience at Hinkley Point C in Somerset,” said Sarah, “where there’s a real growing sense of community spirit in delivering such a large project.
“If we are going to move to a net zero emissions economy, then the UK needs a wide range of energy generation capability and nuclear has the lowest carbon footprint, making it an important part of the mix.
“There will be many challenges in this role,” she added, “and that starts with having to meet people virtually at the moment, and not being able to shake their hands!”
Gareth Davies, Head of Sizewell C Supply Chain Engagement at the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce said he was delighted to welcome Sarah to the team.
He said: Sarah’s extensive background in business development and client relationship management significantly strengthens our ability to support the local and regional supply chain in preparing themselves for the opportunities that Sizewell C will offer. Importantly, as we start to see the green shoots of post-Covid recovery, her appointment demonstrates the Chamber’s commitment to ensuring that the project delivers much needed benefit to the local and regional economy.”
Sarah’s appointment swells the Chamber’s Sizewell C Supply Chain team to five as she joins Gareth, Supply Chain and Projects Co-ordinator Angela Silburn, Events Coordinator Sheline Gledhill and Strategic Adviser Miles Vartan of Vartan Consultancy, who work together alongside EDF to make sure the Sizewell C Supply Chain engages companies from Suffolk and the wider region.
When not in the office, Sarah enjoys cycling and says one positive of lock-down has been to dust off her bike and get back on the road. She also enjoys walking the woods and coastline around her Essex home with her dogs, perhaps stopping for lunch and, later still, a gin and tonic.
She is also a proud Mum and says seeing her son develop into an independent young man makes her very proud.
EDF have applied for a Development Consent Order to build Sizewell C on the Suffolk Coast and awaits a decision from Government. If approved the multi-billion-pound scheme would generate enough low carbon power for six million homes, create 1,000 apprenticeships and 25,000 job opportunities.
Companies interested in becoming part of the supply chain should register at www.sizewellcsupplychain.co.uk.
If you would like to speak to Sarah about the opportunities at Sizewell C, including accreditations, joint ventures and forthcoming work packages, please email her on sarah.cavanagh@suffolkchamber.co.uk