A series of conversations with some of the key leaders and influencers from across the UK infrastructure sector, produced and hosted by journalist and commentator Antony Oliver.
Latest episode
The Infrastructure Podcast: Episode 126
Guest: Mike Pigott, Director of Waste Operations and Sites at Nuclear Waste Services
Nuclear waste solutions
In this episode we’re focusing on the management of nuclear waste; one of the most complex, long-term, and often misunderstood aspects of the UK’s energy future.
Because while nuclear power is increasingly seen as a vital part of the transition to a low-carbon energy system, - and the UK government has just committed tens of billions of public pounds to accelerating its development - the question of what we do with the waste it produces remains both a technical and social challenge.
At the heart of the UK’s approach is Nuclear Waste Services, part of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. The organisation is charged with safely managing the UK’s radioactive waste — waste that includes the low level materials generated today by nuclear power stations through to the legacy waste from decades of energy production, reprocessing, and defence activity.
It’s a huge task, requiring not just robust infrastructure and rigorous safety standards, but also long-term thinking, innovation, and trust.
Joining me to help make sense of this challenge is Mike Pigott, Director of Waste Operations and Sites at Nuclear Waste Services.
Mike brings deep experience across the full lifecycle of the nuclear industry — from working on operational power stations and nuclear new builds to reprocessing and, now, long-term waste disposal.
He’s also worked as a regulator, advisor, and duty holder in the UK and overseas. He currently oversees the UK’s Low Level Waste Repository, where over 750,000 cubic metres of radioactive waste has already been disposed of.
All of which make him well placed to explain the UK’s current and future approach to nuclear waste management!
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Antony Oliver Consulting
Editorial consultancy services for the infrastructure sector
Antony works with a range of clients across the infrastructure sector, helping to boost their communication and marketing strategies and delivery so as to stimulate discussion and action in the industry.
This work includes:
- editorial support and creation
- event organisation, preparation and delivery
- round table discussion hosting and workshop/team facilitation
- video and podcasting
He has spent the last 30 years working as a journalist and editor across the infrastructure sector. Having joined New Civil Engineer magazine in 1994, he edited the title for 14 years until 2013, expanding NCE from a traditional paper magazine to deliver live events and conferences and then embrace the expanding world of multi-media digital delivery.
In 2014 he left NCE to create and launch Infrastructure Intelligence, a new digital-first publication for the sector, and for two years led and developed this ground-breaking media brand for the Association for Engineering and Consultancy.
He is a chartered civil engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, having started his career with Owen Williams and Partners and Balfour Beatty. He is committed to driving change across the UK infrastructure sector and is a Trustee of the Built Environment Trust and a Director of the Building Centre in Store Street, London.
antony@antonyoliver.com
The Infrastructure Podcast is having a small summer break! The next episode will be published on Monday 18th August 2025.
