A BIG THANK YOU!

On Monday 21st August, Women in Rail (WR) launched the South Regional Group at the Malmaison Hotel in Reading.

The event was led by Anna Delvecchio from Amey, who runs the new WR South Regional Group. It was a huge success with over 120 women and men from across the industry in attendance.

Anna said:

“I’m really proud to work in an industry that plays such a crucial role in people’s daily lives and that has so much to offer women by way of rewarding careers.

Each and every day, I meet great women in rail who are passionate, keen and inspiring in so many ways. We are lucky to have many outstanding women already working in operational and non‐operational roles, many of whom I’d like to thank for helping showcase the array of opportunities that are available. Together, we have great and powerful stories to tell.

The skills, capability and diversity of the roles in rail that are covered by women is truly inspirational – CEOs, engineers, train drivers, police officers, journalists, directors, project managers, on train managers, department senior leads, apprentices, recruitment managers, graduates, heads of, guards manager, safety, retail managers ‐ the list just goes on.

Attracting more women into rail is key. I know everyone at Monday’s event wants to change the relatively low representation of women in rail today. To do so, we must do more to showcase our combined female talent in schools, universities and inspire the next generation, something that myself and Adeline personally want to champion for Women in Rail by creating a compelling campaign for industry.

I would like to build a group of volunteers to help me achieve this and lead the South Group, working in partnership with organisations such as Young Rail Professionals (YRP), the National Skills Academy for Rail (NSAR) and others at WR. Please let me know if you are interested in helping me with this great opportunity.

We should also look to develop a regional awards programme to ensure we recognise the talent and achievements of women in both operational and non‐operational roles across the country as well as the national awards programme.

I would like to thank everyone who attended and contributed to the successful launch, including Sir Peter Hendy CBE, Chair Network Rail The panel, guest speakers and the recruiting organisations:

Adeline Ginn, Founder of Women in Rail and General Counsel at Angel Trains

Paul Plummer, Chief Executive, Rail Delivery Group,

Gordon Wakeford, Managing Director, Siemens Mobility Division UK,

Matthew Golton, Commercial Development Director and Deputy MD, GWR

Neil Robertson, CEO, National Skills Academy for Rail

Philip Hoare, Managing Director, Atkins Transportation, UK & Europe

Becky Lumlock, Network Rail Route, Managing Director, Wessex and

Nick Crossfield, Managing Director, Alstom UK & Ireland

During a panel discussion at the event, they were challenged on a range of subjects including how to improve the attainment of young women in science, technology and mathematics, unconscious bias and the need to showcase the amazing female talent we have in the UK railway sector.

Ebony Soltani James from Linbrooke and Emma Harmsworth from Network Rail   ‘thank you’ for helping me on the day to make the event such a great success. So too, Eli Rees‐King of Rail Alliance for the great photos and last, but by no means least, the sponsors who made the event possible ‐ RDG, RSG, GWR, Siemens, Amey and Angel Trains.

Over the coming weeks and months, we look forward to working with the new South Regional Group, YRP, NSAR and the recruiting organisations to turn plans into reality.

Should you wish to become a member of WR South or have any questions, please email me on south@womeninrail.org

The South Group covers: the South and South West including:

• Hampshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucester, Bristol, Wilshire, Dorset, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall

We will be visiting the above counties in the coming months.

Thank you!”