Simon Bowen
I am privileged to be part of the RNLI and support our crews, lifeguards and water safety teams, who save so many lives. It is our responsibility to give our people the best quality equipment to do their courageous work as safely as possible.
Simon is the Chair of Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N), having previously served as the nuclear industry adviser to the Prime Minister. Simon began his career as an engineering officer in the Royal Navy, serving on submarines and subsequently led multiple operational businesses across the petrochemical, renewables, civil nuclear, and defence nuclear sectors. In 2015, Simon joined Babcock International as Chief Executive for Nuclear, overseeing Cavendish Nuclear and the defence nuclear portfolio, including naval base services and submarine maintenance at Devonport, Clyde, and Rosyth. He retired from Babcock in December 2021. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, an Honorary Fellow of the Nuclear Institute and was deeply privileged to be elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Simon was instrumental in the formation of GBE-N, leading wide-ranging engagement across government, industry, academia, and the international nuclear community. He delivered a comprehensive scoping report with recommendations, which were accepted in full, to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).
He recently stepped down as the Chair of Devonport Royal Dockyard and also served on the Board of Rolls-Royce Submarines. He has been a director on multiple boards from small companies to large corporate subsidiaries and public sector bodies. Simon commenced his engagement with the RNLI in 2020, joining the Technical Committee. Due to his depth of experience in operational and technical safety he has also supported the Safety and Assurance Special Interest Group, together with the Engineering Assurance Special Interest Group and the Estates Special Interest Group (both from a technical and commercial perspective). He was elected to the RNLI Council and, in 2025, became the interim Chair of the Technical Committee.