CAMBRIDGE, UK – In a significant move for the advanced nuclear energy sector, Cambridge-based startup Cambridge Atomworks has announced the appointment of a heavyweight industry figure to its advisory team. Tony Roulstone, the former Managing Director of the Rolls-Royce Nuclear Group, is joining the company's Advisory Board, bringing over four decades of technical, safety, and strategic business experience.
A Career Defined by Nuclear Leadership
The appointment, effective immediately, sees Roulstone lending his profound expertise to guide Cambridge Atomworks' ambitious projects. His career is a storied one within the nuclear and engineering spheres. A University of Cambridge engineering graduate, Roulstone began his professional journey at the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), working on fast reactor systems.
His most notable tenure was a 20-year period at Rolls-Royce, where he ascended to become Director of Engineering for Rolls-Royce Submarines in 1987. By 1992, he was appointed Managing Director of the entire Rolls-Royce Nuclear Group, later also taking on leadership roles within Aerospace Engineering and corporate functions.
Beyond industry, Roulstone has been a pivotal academic figure. He established and taught the Nuclear Energy Masters programme in the Department of Engineering at his alma mater, the University of Cambridge. His research has consistently focused on the economics and safety of nuclear power, with a particular emphasis on the development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
Accelerating UK-Based Micro-Reactor Development
Cambridge Atomworks, a specialist in nuclear engineering and reactor design services operating within the Cambridge innovation ecosystem, views Roulstone's appointment as a strategic coup. The company recently served as the design authority for the ODIN microreactor in collaboration with NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. and is now focused on developing its own compact, efficient nuclear solutions for emerging energy markets.
Eugene Shwageraus, Chief Technology Officer of Cambridge Atomworks, emphasized the value Roulstone brings. "Cambridge Atomworks is delighted to welcome Tony to our advisory team. His profound business, nuclear technical and energy expertise will be invaluable," said Shwageraus. "Tony’s experience and deep knowledge of what works in nuclear project delivery is vital to expedite our nuclear micro-reactor project."
Roulstone's current engagements align closely with Cambridge Atomworks' goals. He is actively involved in projects designing energy systems for a net-zero 2050 target and studies on the industrialization of fusion energy. He was also a key contributor to the Royal Society’s 2023 study on Long Duration Energy Storage, underscoring his role at the forefront of energy transition research.
Expertise for the Energy Transition
Roulstone's advisory role extends beyond corporate strategy. As an independent adviser on SMR design and a leader of several UK SMR research projects, his insights will directly influence the technical and safety direction of Cambridge Atomworks' proprietary reactor designs. The company aims to leverage its close ties to the University of Cambridge to deliver advanced nuclear technologies that can reliably power the global shift to cleaner energy.
A Fellow of both the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Nuclear Institute, Roulstone's credentials are recognized across the professional engineering landscape. His appointment signals Cambridge Atomworks' serious intent to become a major player in the next generation of nuclear technology, specifically targeting the growing market for small-scale, deployable nuclear energy solutions.
The company has stated its goal is to design and build these innovative nuclear technologies within the United Kingdom, contributing to both the national energy strategy and the country's position as a leader in high-tech engineering exports.
