Senior Nuclear Engineering Director Joins Industrial Solutions Hub Board In West Cumbria
A senior nuclear engineering leader has joined the Industrial Solutions Hub board, strengthening its plans to support industrial growth and investment in West Cumbria.
Mark Quin, a technical director at Amentum, has been appointed to the board of the organisation, which is leading a major regeneration project at Cleator Moor. The appointment brings additional experience in engineering, project delivery and the nuclear industry to the organisation as it works to develop new opportunities for local businesses.
Quin currently serves as head of engineering for the portfolio of frameworks and projects that Amentum delivers for Sellafield Ltd. His responsibilities involve overseeing engineering work connected with major projects and programmes within the nuclear sector, giving him considerable insight into the technical and commercial requirements of the industry.
He is also a chartered engineer, chartered project professional and chartered manager. Alongside his wider responsibilities, he has supported small and medium-sized businesses seeking to become part of Amentum's supply chain and wider work for Sellafield Ltd. This experience is expected to be valuable as the Industrial Solutions Hub works to connect regional companies with larger industrial opportunities.
The Industrial Solutions Hub, commonly known as iSH, plays a role in helping businesses access opportunities in the nuclear sector and other advanced industries. It works to strengthen the relationship between major employers and smaller suppliers, helping local companies develop the capabilities needed to compete for contracts and support major projects.
The organisation is funded by Sellafield Ltd through the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and is owned by Cumberland Council. Its work is intended to help strengthen the industrial base of West Cumbria, support business development and create opportunities for companies operating across engineering, manufacturing and emerging technologies.
One of its most significant projects is the development of a new enterprise campus on Leconfield Industrial Estate in Cleator Moor. The £50 million scheme aims to transform previously derelict industrial land into a centre for innovation, advanced manufacturing, robotics, engineering and digital technologies.
The planned campus is expected to provide space and facilities for businesses looking to develop new products, services and technologies. It is intended to encourage collaboration between companies, create opportunities for investment and support the growth of specialist industries across the region.
The first spaces at the enterprise campus are expected to become available in late 2027. The project represents a major long-term investment in Cleator Moor and the wider West Cumbrian economy, with the potential to attract businesses and support skilled employment.
As part of its wider work, iSH has also established three regional groups focusing on robotics, manufacturing and digital skills. These groups are designed to bring together businesses and industry representatives to identify challenges, share expertise and encourage collaboration in areas considered important to the future of industry.
Quin said the Industrial Solutions Hub had an important role to play in the long-term development of West Cumbria's industrial capability. He said he hoped to bring his experience of engineering and delivering major projects to the board, helping shape its strategic direction and ensuring its work remained closely connected to industry's needs.
Gary McKeating, managing director of the Industrial Solutions Hub, welcomed the appointment. He said Amentum was a major participant in the global nuclear industry and that having its engineering expertise and industry knowledge represented at board level was an important development for the organisation.
McKeating also highlighted the ambition to establish iSH as a nationally recognised centre for industrial innovation. He said stronger relationships with major industry players could help accelerate innovation, create opportunities for smaller businesses and ensure the enterprise campus becomes a catalyst for investment and employment.
The appointment comes as West Cumbria continues to explore ways of building on its established nuclear and engineering expertise. The region has a significant industrial supply chain, and initiatives such as the enterprise campus are intended to help local companies access new markets while developing skills and technologies for future industrial requirements.
The £50 million development is therefore not only a property regeneration project but also part of a wider effort to strengthen the area's economic future. With the addition of Quin to its board, the Industrial Solutions Hub gains further senior-level experience as it moves towards delivering its plans for Cleator Moor and the wider business community.
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