Hydrock hires nuclear specialist

Cheshire-based engineering consultant and contractor Hydrock has appointed Dr John Hodgson as a technical director in its nuclear engineering business.

With almost 30 years’ experience in engineering, Hodgson joined from CH2M Hill, having previously worked for ABS Consulting, AMEC Nuclear and Mouchel.

Hodgson’s expertise is in structural engineering, dynamics, including, blast, earthquake, impact and forced vibration, bridge engineering, advanced composites, geotechnical engineering and special structures.

With a PhD in civil engineering, Hodgson has worked on an international level for clients including Rolls Royce, GSK and AWE.

He will be based at Hydrock’s office at Sci-Tech Daresbury in Cheshire and will work closely with the company’s specialist business, Hydrock NMCL, which focuses on nuclear safety and environmental management.

Dr Brian McConnell, managing director of Hydrock, said: “Activity is increasing at pace in the UK across the nuclear sector in areas such as new build, decommissioning, existing generation and waste management. These programmes, whether in the management of the UK’s nuclear legacy or in maintaining excellence in existing power and production sites, all have a significant requirement for robust cost-effective design solutions. This is driving greater demand for the specialist skills that John and his colleagues can bring to these sites.”