Dave Shepherd’s career in the nuclear industry started in the mid-1970s working for the UK’s National Nuclear Corporation on design, analysis, construction and commissioning for advanced gas cooled reactor and PWR reactor plant. This included responsibility for the steam generator internals case for the Sizewell B Public Inquiry. Subsequently he became head of the structural dynamics group managing analysis and consultancy work on AGR, PWR and defence facilities.
From 1993 onwards he held a variety of technical and regulatory roles with the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (now Office for Nuclear Regulation), becoming a Superintending Inspector responsible at various times for mechanical engineering, structural integrity, civil engineering and external events safety cases across the UK nuclear power station fleet. He also represented the UK on structural integrity and hazards related activities in OECD and IAEA. He led the external events work stream in the EU peer review of post-Fukushima stress test responses.
After retiring from ONR Dave established Cramjar Limited and became an independent member of the EDF Energy Nuclear Safety Committee, providing advice on safety related work in the operating UK nuclear power stations.
He has attended and contributed papers to SMiRT throughout his career, has been an Advisory Board member and Divisional Co-ordinator prior to becoming President and Chair for SMiRT 23 in Manchester. Now retired he has been IASMiRT Advisor General since 2019.