David Davidson: Prospect NDA branch chair recognised in New Year Honours List
Chair of Prospect’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority branch, David Davidson, talks about the recent lovely surprise of his British Empire Medal, his commitment to volunteering in Cumbria’s education sector and why he’s a firm believer in unions.
It’s always a little more enjoyable opening the mail towards the end of the year. Among the unwanted bills and promotional circulars, you’re now receiving Christmas cards and personal letters from friends and family.
Or, if you’re David Davidson, Prospect’s NDA branch chair, you receive a letter from the Cabinet Office to be informed that you’ve been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the King’s New Year Honours List in recognition of services to the nuclear industry and to education in Cumbria.
David Davidson
“I was just at home and a letter came through the post; It was a very official looking letter from the Cabinet Office. I just sort of looked at it, and read it about 10 times, felt the paper, and thought, is this for real? It was just bizarre,” says David.
“I wanted to tell the people closest to me, but you can’t because of the way it’s cleverly worded. It says it’s not official; there’s still a process to go through and it’s not guaranteed until they publish it. The only person I told was my wife, not even my children.”
Since the news has become official, David has received a follow-up letter telling him that the medal will be given by the Lord Lieutenant for Cumbria at a local ceremony and that he can also expect an invitation to a summer Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.
Volunteering in education
David’s BEM celebrates his professional achievements, working at the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority in various roles since its inception in 2005, 20 years ago this year.
He is currently a Reporting Manager within the Finance team, where one of his main responsibilities is the organisation’s Mission Progress report, which is published externally on a government website.
However, the award is equally a recognition of David’s volunteering services to local education in Cumbria across more than two decades.
He is currently Chair of Trustees for the Changing Lives Learning Trust, a charity dedicated to transforming education across Cumbria. He is also currently Chair of Governors at Cumbria Futures Federation, and has previously been heavily involved in the local Young Enterprise programme, which helps young people develop skills outside of the classroom to prepare them for the world of work.
“I’ve been lucky in my life. I’ve always had my parents and family to encourage me to take opportunities and have an education,” David explains.
“It’s not the same for everybody; sometimes there are barriers in people’s lives for different reasons and I think that’s why I do it: to make sure that we can look at overcoming barriers for people, just to give them that next step on the ladder.”
“I think education is key to helping people break out of the conditions that they may find themselves in for whatever reason… Sometimes, people just need a little bit of help.”
David is also the first to admit that he gets just as much out of volunteering as he puts in.
“It’s massively benefited me. I think interacting with so many different and varied people at different levels gives you a great grounding in life.
“I’ve developed some good interpersonal skills, and it’s made me realise that sometimes you need to put yourself in other people’s shoes and understand the position that they’re in before you make a judgment.”
Union role
David’s ethos about helping people and making things better is also reflected in his staunch belief and commitment to trade unions.
“A lot of the time unions get a bad press, and I think the more people that can get involved and change that around the better.
“There’s an important role for unions within the relationship structure of government, employers and the workforce. It’s about working together, being pragmatic, understanding each other and coming to those mutual agreements.”
David, who as well as being chair of the NDA branch also sits on Prospect’s Energy Sector Executive Committee, continues:
“I particularly like the way that Prospect goes about things and that’s why I joined because it wasn’t a union that is militant or aggressive. Sometimes unions use language that’s very volatile and it can turn people off. Prospect doesn’t do that, and I’ve never ever come across anybody in the organisation like that.
“It’s important that whatever we do, we make things better. If you look back through history that’s what unions have done: they’ve made things better for people.”
With a busy job, all his volunteering and a prominent union role, doesn’t he sometimes just want to give it all up for some time to himself?
“Sometimes you get like that, but I like being busy and active all the time. I’ve done all this for 20 years now and you learn how to cope with it. Sometimes you get pressure points, but you’ve just got to swallow that pill and move on.
“I do like going away on holiday and having a week off now and again, but I think everybody knows that on all these roles my phone is always on. Things happen at the most bizarre times and it’s unfair if you are not around.
“I think if you take on any role as a volunteer, you’ve got to give it everything.”
Perhaps that’s why he’s now David Davidson BEM.
