Hot Off The Grid

Rullion
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Careers
  • Updated Monthly

Hot Off The Grid is the podcast exploring the people behind the UK’s most important industries, from energy and transport to water, nuclear and major infrastructure projects. Brought to you by Rullion, the show goes beyond the headlines to uncover the real challenges behind building, maintaining and scaling the systems society depends on. Each month, Sibel Akel, Rullion’s Marketing Director, speaks to the people delivering these projects — sharing honest insight on their careers, skills, workforce challenges, and what it takes to get work done.

  1. Oct 2

    From Apprentice Electrician to Head of Innovation in Nuclear

    What does the future of nuclear decommissioning look like, and why do different voices matter in shaping it?In this episode of Hot Off The Grid, Phoebe Lynch, Head of Innovation at Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS), shares her journey from apprentice electrician to leading innovation across nuclear restoration.Starting her career as the only woman among hundreds of men at college, Phoebe reflects on building a career in a traditionally male-dominated industry, the importance of staying authentic and why diversity of thought can lead to better ideas, better engineering and better solutions.The conversation explores the changing face of nuclear decommissioning, from robotics and AI to environmental restoration and the challenge of safely and sustainably restoring sites for future use.Phoebe also discusses innovation culture, psychological safety and why creating an environment where people feel able to challenge established thinking and ask questions is so important to the future of the sector.We also hear why collaboration across nuclear matters, the opportunities available to people entering the industry and what needs to change to attract a broader range of people and perspectives.🔗 Connect with Phoebe Lynch: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebe-lynch-a9a885205/💼 Learn more about Nuclear Restoration Services: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nuclear-restoration-services/💼 Explore careers in energy: https://www.rullion.co.uk/jobs/#/energy#HotOffTheGridPodcast #Nuclear #NuclearDecommissioning #Engineering #Innovation #WomenInSTEM

    From Apprentice Electrician to Head of Innovation in Nuclear

  2. Sep 17

    The Story Behind Sizewell C: From Vision to Reality

    What does it take to turn one of Britain’s biggest infrastructure projects from vision into reality? Julia Pyke CBE spent years at the heart of Sizewell C, helping take the project from development through investment and Financial Close and into construction. In this episode of Hot Off The Grid, Julia joins Sibel Akel Saoulli to share the story behind Sizewell C and explore nuclear, infrastructure and the lasting impact major projects can have on the people and communities around them. They discuss: • How Julia went from studying English and becoming a lawyer to leading major infrastructure projects• Why she changed her mind about nuclear energy• What it takes to move a project on the scale of Sizewell C from vision to reality• Why critical infrastructure should create social value, skills and opportunities beyond construction• The skills challenge facing the industry and why young people need clearer pathways into infrastructure careers• Why creativity, the arts and human skills matter alongside technical expertise From nuclear financing and infrastructure delivery to skills, community impact and long-term thinking, Julia offers a fascinating perspective on what it takes to deliver infrastructure designed to serve generations. Sizewell C has moved firmly into construction, with major milestones now taking place on the Suffolk coast. Guest bio: Julia Pyke CBE is the former Joint Managing Director of Sizewell C, where she played a leading role in taking one of Britain’s largest infrastructure projects through development, Final Investment Decision and Financial Close and into construction. Julia holds a portfolio of leadership and advisory roles across energy and infrastructure, including Chair of Agilia Infrastructure Partners, Clean Power Commissioner at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and Non-Executive Director roles at Repower Initiative and Studsvik. She was awarded a CBE for services to energy in 2026. Follow Hot Off The Grid for more conversations with the people shaping nuclear, energy and critical infrastructure. Julia Pyke: ⁠Julia Pyke FEI, HonFNucl | LinkedIn⁠   Sizewell C: ⁠Sizewell C: Posts | LinkedIn⁠   Rullion: ⁠https://uk.linkedin.com/company/rullion⁠

    The Story Behind Sizewell C: From Vision to Reality

  3. Sep 3

    Why Systems Thinking Matters in the Energy Transition

    How do you make better decisions when everything is connected? Abbie Badcock-Broe joins Hot Off The Grid to discuss why systems thinking has become one of the most valuable skills in critical infrastructure, and how long-term strategy, collaboration and policy all shape the future of the UK's energy system. In this conversation we explore: Why systems thinking helps solve complex infrastructure challengesHow strategy, policy and investment shape the energy transitionWhy curiosity, collaboration and asking better questions lead to better decisions Guest bio Abbie Badcock-Broe is a Non-Executive Director at Energise Landscape Ltd and former Head of Corporate, UK & Decarbonisation Strategy at National Grid. With nearly 20 years' experience across renewables, energy retail, system operations and infrastructure, she specialises in strategy, systems thinking and helping organisations navigate complex challenges across the energy transition. Follow Hot Off The Grid for more conversations with the people shaping the future of energy and critical infrastructure. Abbie Badcock-Broe: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/abbiebadcockbroe Rullion: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/rullion

    Why Systems Thinking Matters in the Energy Transition

  4. May 28

    From Coal Power to Clean Energy Innovation

    What does engineering really look like behind the scenes? Yasmin Ali shares how a childhood shaped by power cuts led her into energy, battery technology and public engagement, and why the industry needs to rethink how it attracts talent.    In this episode of Hot Off The Grid, we speak with Yasmin Ali about careers, clean energy and the human side of engineering:  • Growing up in Baghdad during the Gulf War and how early experiences shaped her perspective on energy  • Why she went from wanting to study medicine to becoming a chartered chemical engineer  • Writing her book during lockdown while working full time in energy  • Her journey from coal and gas power stations into clean energy and battery technology  • The recruitment and skills gap holding the energy industry back  • How volunteering, communication and saying yes to new opportunities helped shape her career    From power stations and government policy to BBC science journalism, book festivals and battery software innovation, Yasmin’s career shows just how varied engineering can be and why visibility matters in attracting the next generation into the industry.  Guest Bio: Yasmin Ali is a chartered chemical engineer, author and energy professional working at the forefront of battery and energy management technology at RWE. Across her career, she has worked in power generation, government, clean energy innovation and public engagement, while becoming a passionate advocate for widening access into engineering and helping more people understand the role energy plays in everyday life.  Follow the show for more conversations on critical infrastructure, including nuclear, energy and the future of the grid.    Yasmin Ali: Yasmin Ali | LinkedIn  Yasmin’s book: https://www.engineeryasmin.com/book.html ‘Power Up: An Engineer's Adventures into Sustainable Energy’  RWE: (28) RWE: Overview | LinkedIn  Rullion: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/rullion

    From Coal Power to Clean Energy Innovation

  5. Apr 16

    The Hidden Problem Holding the Energy Industry Back

    Why is energy still seen as confusing from the outside? Daljeet Kaur shares why simplifying the sector could unlock better customer experiences, stronger talent pipelines and a more accessible future for energy. In this episode of Hot Off The Grid, we speak with Daljeet, COO of Valda Energy, about building a modern energy business and what it takes to scale in a fast-moving sector: • How Daljeet went from apprentice to COO in the energy sector • What it took to scale Valda Energy from 6 to 130+ employees • Why culture and career progression matter more than ever in attracting talent • Why simplifying communication could solve one of energy’s biggest challenges Guest Bio: Daljeet is the COO of Valda Energy, a leading UK business energy supplier focused on supporting SMEs. She joined the business as employee number five and has helped scale the company through rapid growth, disruption and digital transformation. Follow the show for more conversations on nuclear, energy and the future of the grid. Daljeet: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daljeet-kaur-6539b079/ Valda Energy: www.valdaenergy.com Rullion: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/rullion

    The Hidden Problem Holding the Energy Industry Back

  6. Apr 8

    Why Energy Doesn’t Have a Skills Shortage

    Is there really a skills shortage in energy, or is something else holding the sector back? Miguel Trenkel-Lopez shares why communication and education may be the real barriers to scaling the workforce.  In this episode of Hot Off The Grid, we speak with Miguel Trenkel-Lopez, founder of Megawatt, about the future of energy talent and how we attract, develop and retain the workforce needed to deliver critical infrastructure:  • How Miguel’s journey into nuclear started through a graduate scheme  • Why energy is one of the biggest challenges facing the global economy • The difference between renewable and sustainable energy and why it matters  • How Megawatt is building energy literacy through interactive learning  • Why the sector’s biggest issue may be communication, not capability  • The importance of reaching talent beyond traditional STEM routes  • Why the energy workforce needs to nearly double in the next five years  • What the future workforce will look like across energy and nuclear  Guest Bio: Miguel Trenkel-Lopez is the founder of Megawatt, an education platform that has grown from a card game into a programme helping schools and organisations build energy literacy and inspire future talent pipelines.  Follow the show for more conversations on nuclear, energy and the future of the grid.  Miguel Trenkel-Lopez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/migueltl  Megawatt: https://megawatt.game  Rullion: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/rullion

    Why Energy Doesn’t Have a Skills Shortage

  7. Apr 8

    What Nuclear Regulators Actually Do

    What does nuclear regulation actually look like from the inside? Rani Franovich shares lessons from three decades shaping reactor policy in the US.  In this episode of Hot Off The Grid, we speak with Rani Franovich, former senior leader at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, about what it really takes to regulate nuclear safely:  • How nuclear regulation works behind the scenes    • How policy has evolved over the past three decades    • Why modernisation is critical as new reactor technologies emerge    • The role regulation plays in enabling the future of clean energy     Guest Bio: Rani Franovich is a former senior leader at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and now works with Deep Fission, bringing decades of experience in nuclear regulation and policy.  Follow the show for more conversations on nuclear, energy and the future of the grid.  Rani Franovich: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rani-franovich/    Rullion: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/rullion    Deep Fission: https://www.deepfission.com/

    What Nuclear Regulators Actually Do

  8. Apr 8

    Rethinking Nuclear Waste

    Is nuclear waste really as big a problem as we think? Rod Baltzer explains why the reality might be very different.  In this episode of Hot Off The Grid, we speak with Rod Baltzer, CEO of Deep Isolation, about how nuclear waste is often misunderstood and what new approaches mean for long-term disposal:  • Why only a small portion of nuclear waste requires deep geological storage    • How borehole technology is changing the way we think about disposal    • His unexpected path into the nuclear industry    • Why transferable skills are more relevant in nuclear than you might expect    Guest Bio: Rod Baltzer is the CEO of Deep Isolation, focused on developing innovative solutions for the safe, long-term disposal of nuclear waste.  Follow the show for more conversations on nuclear, energy and the future of the grid.  Rod Baltzer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodbaltzer/    Rullion: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/rullion    Deep Isolation: https://www.deepisolation.com/

    Rethinking Nuclear Waste
See All (14)

About

Hot Off The Grid is the podcast exploring the people behind the UK’s most important industries, from energy and transport to water, nuclear and major infrastructure projects. Brought to you by Rullion, the show goes beyond the headlines to uncover the real challenges behind building, maintaining and scaling the systems society depends on. Each month, Sibel Akel, Rullion’s Marketing Director, speaks to the people delivering these projects — sharing honest insight on their careers, skills, workforce challenges, and what it takes to get work done.

Information

  • Creator
    Rullion
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Rullion
  • Show Website
    Hot Off The Grid