From Drilling Crews to Leading: Meet Simon Pryce

After completing my BSc in Applied Geology, I went straight into industry. I was handed the keys to a van and given responsibility for leading drilling crews on ground investigations for a wide range of infrastructure projects. Those early years on site gave me a practical, hands‑on understanding of ground conditions that has shaped my entire career.

While working full time, I undertook a part‑time Master’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Design and Management. Balancing academic study with real‑world project experience proved invaluable, and my MSc dissertation ultimately formed the basis of a paper that took me to the finals of the British Geotechnical Association’s prestigious Cooling Prize.

Shortly after completing my MSc, I became a Chartered Geologist with the Geological Society. I have continued to stay involved with the Society by reviewing Chartership applications and supporting the next generation of professionals entering the field.

My career has taken me from small local schemes to major international projects across South Africa, Poland, Ireland, and the UK. The experience I gained assessing nuclear ground improvement substantiation overseas has been particularly valuable for the Sizewell C project, enabling me to share a strong understanding of alternative techniques, regulatory expectations, and lessons learned from other nuclear environments.

My Team

I am the Programme Engineering Manager for Enabling Works and Earthworks within the Sizewell C Main Civils Area. I lead a team of four Engineering Managers, supported by graduates and apprentices, delivering the Intelligent Customer function for all Enabling Works and Earthworks design activities.

Our remit covers the management and assurance of multidisciplinary design teams responsible for groundwater cut‑off systems, retaining structures, and the extensive earthworks associated with the Big Dig. The ultimate objective is to create a robust and compliant platform for the construction of the Nuclear Island and associated buildings.

In my role as the Principal Designer representative for this scope, I am responsible for ensuring that Construction (Design and Management) health and safety requirements are embedded throughout the design process. This includes managing coordination and interfaces between temporary and permanent works to ensure safe, buildable, and compliant solutions.

The team brings a broad range of experience across earthworks design and construction, dewatering, marine structures, and temporary works. This includes senior engineers with over 20 years of industry experience, alongside graduates and apprentices who contribute fresh perspectives and a strong appetite for learning.

What Inspires Me?

Being part of an iconic clean energy project is a constant source of motivation - one I am genuinely proud to share with my two children and the rest of my family. Knowing that the work we do today will help shape a low‑carbon future gives real purpose to every challenge we take on.

Equally inspiring is the opportunity to support our graduates and apprentices. Watching their enthusiasm grow into confidence and capability, and seeing them take on increasingly complex responsibilities, is one of the most rewarding aspects of my role. Helping them develop into the next generation of engineers is a privilege that energises me every day.