Sizewell C has officially opened a new operational hub at One New York Street in Manchester, signalling a major shift in how the project accesses UK engineering talent.
This is not a temporary satellite office. The decision to secure a 10-year lease in Manchester’s premium business district underscores a long-term commitment to the region. It aligns with the project’s wider pledge to invest £2.5 billion in the North of England over the course of construction, creating a lasting legacy far beyond the Suffolk coastline.
Nigel Cann, Joint Managing Director of Sizewell C, confirmed the strategic importance of this move:
"Sizewell C is a project that will benefit the whole of the UK, not just by generating energy, but by delivering thousands of jobs, growth and economic benefits right across the country.
By opening a new office here in Manchester, we can be part of the strong concentration of nuclear skills and experience here in the North and harness talent that might not otherwise have joined our project."
Tapping into the UK’s Nuclear Heartland
The choice of Manchester is backed by compelling industry data. According to the Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) Jobs Map, the North West is home to 29,204 nuclear professionals, making it the highest density of nuclear expertise in the country.
By placing an operational "brain" in Manchester, Sizewell C can tap into a reservoir of talent that includes:
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Project Controls & Commercial Management: Accessing the deep pool of professionals from nearby Warrington and Birchwood Park.
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Civil Engineering & Supply Chain: Leveraging the expertise that has already delivered £168 million in contracts to Northern businesses before the main civil works have even peaked.
This strategic pivot allows the project to recruit the best minds in the industry without requiring them to relocate to the South East.
What This Means for Your Career
For senior engineers and commercial managers in the North West, this development removes the traditional barrier to entry for major infrastructure projects: location.
The new hub supports a genuine hybrid working model. It allows professionals to work on a £38 billion gigawatt-scale project while remaining based in Cheshire, Lancashire, or Greater Manchester.
With the construction phase estimated to last between 9 and 12 years, followed by 60 years of operation, these roles offer a level of stability that is rare in the current engineering construction market. As highlighted in the recent ECITB Workforce Census, the demand for experienced project controls and engineering personnel is set to outstrip supply significantly by 2030. Securing a position on a government-backed project of this magnitude provides career security for the next decade.
Millbank’s Perspective
We view this as a heavily positive development for the regional economy. It validates the North West’s status as the "engine room" of the UK’s nuclear sector.
At Millbank, we are already seeing increased demand to support this Northern expansion.
If you are a nuclear professional based in the North West and want to work on the UK's most critical energy infrastructure project without leaving the region, now is the time to act.
