Hello and welcome to the Women in Rail West Midlands Regional Group!
WR West Midlands was set up in 2016 and has an ever growing and active membership. The group has been chaired by Claire Burrows since February 2018. Claire is a Legal Director at Shakespeare Martineau and she is supported by a strong and diverse steering committee (details of which are set out below).
In relation to her appointment, Claire commented: “I am delighted to be taking over as Chair of WRWM. Our ambition is to reach out to and engage with more women (and men) who are connected to the rail sector in the West Midlands, to support and develop the great talent we have in our local industry and to inspire others to join it.”
The group organises a full calendar of events throughout the year (including development workshops, themed presentations and networking events), with the aim to empower women throughout the region to meet their own personal goals and become the best possible version of themselves.
We are always keen to meet new members or volunteers so please come along and get involved!
Kindest regards
WR West Midlands Team
Email: WestMidlands@womeninrail.org
Claire Burrows, Legal Director, National Law Firm Shakespeare Martineau
Claire is a Legal Director at national law firm Shakespeare Martineau, focussing on all aspects of Dispute Resolution with a particular emphasis on rail and the wider transport sector. Prior to her current role, she has worked at other national law firms and, in those roles, has been instrumental in setting up both rail sector teams and diversity committees. As such, Women in Rail was an obvious fit for her.
Claire has been Chair of the West Midlands Regional Steering Committee since 2018 and is a passionate advocate for the whole diversity agenda, whilst maintaining a focus on gender diversity and equality. She is delighted to use her role to work alongside the other Regional Chairs, affiliated organisations and the industry to promote Women in Rail’s core values and objectives.
Rose Rees, Head of Engagement & Skills, Midland Metro Alliance
Midland Metro Alliance (MMA) is constructing tram extensions across the West Midlands on behalf of West Midlands Combined Authority. Rose and her team liaise with stakeholders along the routes and support local communities, schools and youth groups to promote career opportunities in rail and construction sectors. Rose has been involved with Women in Rail West Midlands Steering Committee since its inception in April 2016. Rose has a passion for helping those from disadvantaged backgrounds, including those from under privileged areas, the long term unemployed and ex-offenders.
Lorraine Warner, Engineering Manager (Rail), WSP
Lorraine has been a committee member of the Women in Rail West Midlands region from the beginning in 2016. She is passionate about encouraging women to both join and remain in the rail industry.
Lorraine is an experienced Engineer with 24 years experience in the rail industry. She has an extensive grounding in signalling design which supports the multidisciplinary engineering management she has undertaken for both client and contractor. Her key skills are in the co-ordination and assurance of multidisciplinary rail design schemes and promoting collaboration in order to meet project milestones.
With a background predominantly in signalling, Lorraine has delivered projects across all design stages as both a Designated Project Engineer and Contractors Responsible Engineer, undertaking responsibility for assurance of the projects, dealing with risk and assurance management, undertaking contractor reviews and monitoring requirements.
Helen Bellamy, Head of Talent and Development, CrossCountry
Helen joined the West Midlands committee in 2021 as she is keen to play an active role in encouraging skills and talent development in the Rail Industry. Helen has worked for CrossCountry since April 2018 and brings prior experience in several other industries; including telecommunications and manufacturing. Helen’s career has always involved elements of coaching and mentoring others to develop and so joining the committee is a natural extension of this.
