Women in Rail East Midlands recently hosted a joint Allyship & Inclusion event with The Railway Club, welcoming members and colleagues from across the rail industry for an evening of discussion, insight and connection.

Held at The Derby Conference Centre, the event explored why allyship and inclusion are fundamental to the long‑term success of the UK rail sector. In an industry that is complex, safety‑critical and reliant on collaboration, creating inclusive environments where people feel supported and empowered to contribute openly is essential. Diverse and inclusive teams make better decisions, innovate more effectively and build workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Sharing experience and perspective
The evening featured a series of keynote contributions from leading industry voices, followed by a panel discussion that encouraged honest reflection and shared learning.
The speakers brought a wide range of experience and perspectives to the conversation:

• Lucy Prior MBE, Octavius, reflected on her 15‑year career in rail and her work supporting UK rail exports
• Adam Sergent, Network Rail, Founder and Chair of Neurodiversity in Transport and Diversity & Inclusion Lead for Young Rail Professionals, shared insights on neurodiversity, allyship and inclusive practice
• Joanne Boocock, Alstom, Head of Procurement RS and shortlisted for Women in Rail Inspirational Woman of the Year, spoke about inclusive leadership and the role allyship plays at all levels of the industry

Also joining the speakers at the event were, Olivier Quindos, UK &Ireland Procurement Director at Alstom, who joined the panel discussion, offering the perspective of a senior male leader, and  AnnMarie Luesley, Fleet Engineer and active WR member acted as our MC for the evening.

Together, the speakers, panel members and host highlighted how active allyship, using position and influence to advocate for others, helps remove barriers, challenge assumptions and create fairer opportunities across the sector.

Charlotte Cruise, Chair for WR East Midlands commented on the evening “I was really excited to host this event as our first in person regional gathering of the year in the East Midlands and it did not disappoint, with brilliant speakers and such an engaging panel session! I hope that the conversations started are ones that we will all think about more and come back to many times. There were some brilliant ideas shared and moving the industry forward to true representation, equity & inclusion is something that will take us all re-visiting conversations like these and being brave enough to ask questions and advocate for ourselves and each other. Thank you to everyone involved in making it such a great evening!”

Open dialogue and connection
Following the presentations, the panel discussion provided space for open and constructive dialogue, with themes including inclusive culture, practical allyship and how organisations and individuals can create positive change.

The conversations continued during the networking session, allowing Women in Rail members, Railway Club members and allies to connect, share experiences and build relationships across organisations and roles.

Looking ahead
Events like this underline the importance of providing spaces where meaningful conversations can take place, helping to drive lasting cultural change across the rail industry.

Women in Rail East Midlands have a busy programme of events planned throughout 2026, supporting connection, learning and collaboration across the region. Further details will be shared on the Women in Rail events page, and members are encouraged to register for regional updates to stay informed.

We look forward to welcoming members and allies to future events as we continue to champion inclusion, allyship and equality across rail.