Holtec Britain, a leader in Small Modular Reactors, reinforced its commitment to the UK’s industrial base this week by signing the UK Steel Charter at the iconic Sheffield Forgemasters.
[Front row, left to right: Charlotte Brumpton-Childs – National Officer (Construction, Steel and Manufacturing) of GMB Union; Dame Julia King – Chair of the Climate Change Committee’s Adaptation Sub-Committee and Senior Adviser to Holtec Britain; Gary Nutter – CEO, Sheffield Forgemasters.
Back row, left to right: Alasdair McDiarmid – Assistant General Secretary of Community Union; Andy Prendergast – National Secretary of GMB Union; Gareth Stace – Director General of UK Steel; Richard Bell – Business Development Director for Sheffield Forgemasters; Gareth Thomas – Director of Holtec Britain]
The move follows a series of major UK investment plans by Holtec—America’s largest exporter of nuclear components, including a proposed £1.5bn GVA factory in South Yorkshire. Holtec aims to use 70% UK content in its nuclear, clean energy and defence programmes, and has signed agreements with supply chain partners from Sheffield Forgemasters, the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, the Manufacturing Technology Centre and South Yorkshire Combined Authority.
The UK Steel Charter signing ceremony brought together prominent industry and union leaders. Gareth Thomas, Director of Holtec Britain, was joined by Dame Julia King, Holtec’s Senior Advisor (and Chair of the Climate Change Committee’s Adaptation Sub-Committee), UK Steel Director General Gareth Stace, Community Union Assistant General Secretary Alasdair McDiarmid, GMB National Officer for Construction, Steel and Manufacturing Charlotte Brumpton-Childs, and GMB National Secretary Andy Prendergast.
By signing the Charter, Holtec pledges to maximise its use of UK-produced steel across its operations—generating substantial economic and industrial benefits nationwide. UK steel will be integral to Holtec’s UK deployment of its SMR-300 technology, with 5 GW of advanced pressurised water reactor capacity planned by 2050 for the UK.
The proposed South Yorkshire factory will prioritise UK steel for SMR component manufacturing, revitalising the region’s industrial heritage. The facility is expected to create thousands of high-skilled jobs and open an export market valued in the billions—which the UK will leverage as a first mover.
Gareth Thomas, Director of Holtec Britain said:
“Today is yet another statement of Holtec’s commitment to the UK – not only to deliver clean, secure, and homegrown energy, but to strengthen and grow Britain’s industrial base. UK steel will play a vital role in our nuclear, clean energy and defence programmes.
Britain has a historic industrial heritage and world leading nuclear sector. We are proud to invest in its future by supporting local manufacturing, high-skilled unionised jobs and a resilient supply chain. Holtec is now finalising the factory business plan to support its Final Investment Decision.”
Gareth Stace, Director General of UK Steel, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Holtec Britain to the growing list of signatories of the UK Steel Charter. Holtec’s plans to establish an SMR manufacturing base in South Yorkshire align perfectly with the Charter’s goals of boosting local supply chains and maximising the use of British-made steel. Their commitment is a major vote of confidence in the UK steel sector and the wider industrial capabilities of the region.”
