Meet the team: Donald

Why did you join EDF? 

I originally worked as a Design Engineer with EDF through another company. I then saw an opportunity within EDF’s Design Group at Torness and I realised how many opportunities were available. I saw how far EDF could take me in terms of my career and what I wanted to achieve. 

Making the transition from Safety Case and Design Engineering work to Cyber Security and taking on a leadership position was an interesting, and at times challenging, change in career direction for me, but the support was constant - people went above and beyond to support me. I was approached with opportunities I hadn’t even thought of. The combination of mentorship and encouragement from my manager, group head and colleagues made a huge difference.

What do you do in your role? What’s a typical day like? 

The cyber threat landscape in the UK continues to evolve rapidly, with increasing sophistication and frequency of attacks targeting critical national infrastructure — underscoring the urgent need for proactive, collaborative, and adaptive cyber defence strategies across both public and private sectors. 

As Cyber Security Lead at Torness Power Station, and working within EDF’s wider Cyber Security community, my focus is on leading strategic initiatives to continuously enhance the resilience and security of our operational technology environments. My typical day consists of co-ordinating resource to protect our data and operations from potential threats.

At EDF, we believe Success is Personal. What does success look like for you? 

For me, success is about possibilities and achievement. EDF is a place of endless possibilities, there are no limits on where I want to go or what I want to do - it’s very much in my hands. The road to success hasn’t been direct — it’s been a journey of curves, lessons, and growth. 

As a graduate engineer with a focus on industrial control systems and project management I had my sights set on a leadership role within engineering but had no idea what different possibilities and opportunities were available to me. Through discussion with my mentors and manager, sharing my aspirations and letting them know what success looks like for me, things became clearer. We put together a structured development plan that gave me exposure to training, CPD events and other opportunities that would enhance my capability. 

My priorities have shifted over time and EDF has supported that. This company gives you room to grow, and if your interests change, they support that. It’s a great foundation for any career path. EDF is a springboard for success - whatever success means to you.

How do you support your team, and what kind of culture at EDF allows that support to thrive? 

As a leader, I’m always looking for ways to improve myself and my team, and EDF gives me the tools to do that and be effective. Through the various project teams that I have led, and structured leadership development programmes such as the Aspiring Leaders initiative, I’ve had the opportunity to identify and address gaps within my leadership capability. Through this I have come to realise that I’m a people person and I focus on emotional intelligence. If people feel good, they perform well. It’s not just about technical skills but also inspiring and encouraging people to be their best. EDF lays the foundation for that by creating a vibrant, supportive culture. 

How does it feel personally, knowing you’re helping people in this way? 

It gives me great joy. When I wake up and plan my day, knowing that it will make a difference – it’s a great feeling. I’ve spoken to people in other companies who don’t feel that, but at EDF there’s scope to make an impact, to build relationships and friendships. That’s incredibly rewarding.

What inspired you to join the energy sector? 

My biggest inspiration is my stepfather Ivor. His career as a highly accomplished engineer and leader in the nuclear sector spanned multiple power stations, including Torness. Torness will always have a fond place in his heart and even in his busy and adventurous retirement we often reflect on the different things he has seen and experienced at the various points in the station’s lifecycle. As defueling and decommissioning approaches, he gets to relive that… but more importantly he gets to pass on invaluable knowledge and advice.

Was anything surprising when you joined EDF? 

I thrive in environments where I can continuously feel challenged and pick up new skills. I had the misconception I’d be stuck doing the same job for years, but it was the opposite. As soon as I joined, I realised the possibilities would be endless if I applied myself. EDF doesn’t worry about your background - only that you’re ready to grow. They equip you with everything you need to be successful, wherever you decide to take that. 

There can be a misconception that working on a power station that was built decades ago, long before cyber security was a concern, means that the cyber risk is negligible, however therein lies the biggest challenge. Cyber security at ageing AGR sites involves balancing risk, safety, and operational continuity in a highly regulated, technically constrained environment. It requires bespoke, layered strategies, strong cross-disciplinary collaboration, innovation and continual adaptation to emerging threats. Innovation is a cornerstone here. It’s championed from the top down, across every level, and from graduates to senior leadership. It’s a huge part of our culture. 

What excites you about the future of engineering or cyber security at EDF? 

I am excited by how we are embracing new technologies and applying them in the right way. Artificial Intelligence, new IT tools and ways of working, encouraging collaboration across locations, and innovation - we’re involving people at every level and doing it together. It’s a world-class example of how things should be done, and in many ways EDF is leading the way.

"It’s incredibly rewarding to know that the work we do contributes to the nation’s energy security. It means I can go home each day knowing I’ve played a part in something that truly makes a difference."

How does EDF foster inclusivity and diversity? 

Compared to other places I’ve worked, EDF is much more diverse. I used to be the only person of my ethnicity and background in the whole company, but not here. There is diversity in background, thought, age, etc. - it’s all reflected in recruitment and workforce makeup. It’s part of the company’s active drive. 

How does EDF’s purpose-driven work align with your personal values? 

I am very proud to work for EDF. I am passionate about the intersection of operational and cyber resilience within the energy sector and committed to enabling secure, reliable operations in an evolving threat landscape and supporting EDF’s mission to deliver safe, low-carbon energy for the future. There’s a real sense of pride in working for EDF — people recognise what the company stands for.

I love showing my children what I do, even though they’re not yet old enough to understand it all. I hope to inspire them; the same way my stepfather inspired me to consider a career in nuclear engineering which has led to where I am now.