iSH

Making ideas Work

30/10/2026

“iSH is absolutely key to supporting the Sellafield mission”

Euan Hutton, CEO of Sellafield Ltd, talks about the iSH Enterprise Campus and Sellafield's support for the development at Leconfield Industrial Estate in Cleator Moor.

The £50 million Enterprise Campus is designed to support jobs, innovation and growth, creating space for businesses to develop, collaborate and invest in the future. It will also provide a base for iSH’s wider innovation work, bringing businesses and organisations together to develop new ideas and opportunities in areas including advanced manufacturing, robotics and AI.

Interested in finding out more about the iSH Enterprise Campus?

📧 Contact [email protected]

Sellafield Ltd
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
Cumberland Council
Morgan Sindall Construction

29/10/2026

Hear from MPO at the next iSH Manufacturing Cluster Meeting, where they will share their procurement strategy for upcoming products.

The session will form part of a wider programme at Innovia Films, including a panel discussion on commercial challenges and customer expectations outside of nuclear, updates from iSH and partners, networking and a tour of Innovia’s laboratory and plant facilities.

📅 3 November 2026 | 09:00-14:30
📍 Innovia Films, Wigton

Book your place: https://loom.ly/RjklZJ4

27/10/2026

🎧 Episode 17 of our podcast is available now.

The latest episode of iSH Presents explores why the most effective solutions are often the simplest.

Miranda is joined by Gareth Wilson, Managing Director at NSG, and Rob Hawley, Senior Project Manager, to discuss tackling complex nuclear challenges through practical thinking, growing a business while maintaining a people-first culture, and the opportunities shaping the future of the sector in West Cumbria and beyond.

From decommissioning and waste management to facility life extension and international growth, this episode provides insight into the approach that has helped NSG build its reputation across the nuclear industry.

Watch or listen by clicking the links below ⬇️
YouTube - https://loom.ly/jFkNAa8
Spotify - https://loom.ly/-sqTg5g
Apple - https://loom.ly/hXbZbVA

26/10/2026

Applications for the Nuclear Gateway are now open.

The programme, run by the Industrial Solutions Hub (iSH) and supported by the nuclear industry, is bringing together businesses and innovators with the expertise and ideas needed to make a difference.

We are seeking solutions for the identification, mobilisation and removal of solid accumulations in complex process and storage systems.

There is a need to identify and deploy safe, effective and practical solutions that can reliably identify, characterise, mobilise, remove and transfer accumulated solids, restoring functionality and enabling continued processing, treatment and storage operations.

If you have an idea that could support this challenge, we welcome your application.

To read the detailed Challenge Statement, discover more about the process or start your application, visit https://loom.ly/1Z99L9k

23/10/2026

"Collaboration is key."

That was one of the main messages from challenge owners at ACORN The Challenge Exchange 2026, an event co-organised by iSH that brought together industry, academia and innovators to explore solutions to challenges in robotics, fusion and nuclear decommissioning.

ACORN is a £5 million EPSRC-funded collaboration between UKAEA, the University of Cumbria, the University of Manchester and the University of Oxford, designed to accelerate the commercialisation of robotics and AI for nuclear decommissioning. By connecting industry challenges with leading research and innovation, ACORN helps to turn promising technologies into real-world solutions that improve safety, reduce cost and deliver economic growth across Oxfordshire and Cumbria.

Cumbria Robotics Cluster members Barrnon, Createc, Forth, Eadon Consulting and Veolia made an impact by sharing real-world challenges and workshopping potential solutions alongside academic and industry partners.

Delegates also had the opportunity to visit JET, gaining insight into the scale of the decommissioning programme and the role robotics will play in supporting this complex work.

Our Programme Director, Miranda Kirschel, facilitated a panel discussion featuring representatives from Sellafield Ltd, UKAEA, The University of Manchester and the SME community, exploring the opportunities and barriers to collaboration, emerging robotics technologies and the growing impact of AI.

The event was an opportunity to share challenges, make connections and consider how collaboration can help develop solutions to some of industry’s most complex problems.

23/10/2026

See our vision for the iSH Enterprise Campus come to life.

This fly-through shows how the former Leconfield Industrial Estate is being transformed into a place where innovation, ambition and regeneration come together.

The Campus will provide quality space for businesses to grow, collaborate and invest, helping to strengthen West Cumbria's industrial and technological capability.

Construction is now underway, with the first spaces expected to be available in early 2027.

Watch the fly-through below.

For more information, visit our website https://loom.ly/nDE6PSo or email [email protected]

Cumberland Council Sellafield Ltd Nuclear Decommissioning Authority Morgan Sindall Construction

21/10/2026

How does innovation help manufacturers stay productive, competitive and resilient?

Join the next iSH Manufacturing Cluster Meeting at Innovia Films on 3 November to hear how one of Cumbria's leading manufacturers has evolved through acquisition, embraced innovation and continued to adapt in changing market conditions.

You'll hear directly from Innovia's leadership team, gain insight into the technologies and processes driving productivity across the business, and take part in an exclusive tour of the laboratory and plant facilities.

Attendees will also hear from MPO on its procurement strategy and upcoming opportunities, alongside a panel discussion exploring commercial challenges and customer expectations outside of nuclear.

There will be updates from iSH and partner organisations, and dedicated time to connect with manufacturers from across the region, share experiences and explore opportunities for collaboration.

📅 3 November 2026 | 09:00-14:30
📍 Innovia Films, Wigton

Places are limited to 60 attendees, so early registration is encouraged.

Book your place: https://loom.ly/RjklZJ4

20/10/2026

Applications for the iSH SME Accelerator close tomorrow.

The programme has been designed to help Cumbrian businesses turn digital ambition into practical action.

Delivered with Barclays Eagle Labs and Atos, the fully-funded programme will support SMEs and microbusinesses working in critical, heavy and highly regulated industries to explore new markets, strengthen digital capabilities and prepare for future growth.

Across six sessions, participants will gain practical support, build valuable connections and develop the confidence to take the next step, culminating in the opportunity to pitch at Demo Day.

The programme begins on 3 November and runs through to March 2027.

Find out more and register: https://loom.ly/eprA-e0

Applications close at 12:00pm on 21 October, so interested businesses are encouraged to register now.

16/10/2026

Helping businesses navigate the DNWP Framework.

In partnership with iSH, DNWP is delivering a series of Supply Chain Information webinars to help businesses better understand the practical requirements of working within the Decommissioning and Nuclear Waste Partnership (DNWP) Framework.

The first session explored security requirements and national agreements, covering topics including security clearance requirements, supply chain responsibilities, reporting organisational changes, and the role of NAECI within the Framework.

Thank you to Heather Moore, Anne-Marie Jenkinson, Michelle Watson and Dave Keville from Amentum for leading the session and sharing their expertise.

Three further sessions will follow over the coming months. The next webinar will take place in December and focus on commercial and supply chain requirements. The date will be confirmed shortly.

If you have any questions or would like to suggest a topic for future sessions, please email [email protected]

16/10/2026

Understanding how technology is changing the world of work is becoming increasingly important for educators, employers and young people.

At Cumbria Careers Hub's Shaping Tomorrow's Workforce conference, iSH Skills Lead Hannah Pears delivered sessions on the future of work, sharing insights on how robotics, AI and digital technologies are shaping workforce needs and creating new opportunities across the region.

Drawing on iSH's role in connecting industry, innovation and skills development, Hannah highlighted the importance of ensuring people have access to the skills and experiences needed to succeed in emerging sectors.

Joined by Digital Cumbria member and Levels Whitehaven Managing Director, Ian Irving, the session also showcased the power of collaboration and the opportunities available to schools and colleges in West Cumbria through organisations working together.

Address

Phase 3 Phoenix Enterprise Centre
Cleator Moor
CA255BD

Website

https://ishco.co.uk/

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