In support of International Women’s Day 2025, the South West Hub organised a panel to help #AccelerateAction in the region. We also came together to celebrate, as March marks one year since the South West Hub was established.
Women in Transport members and non-members joined the virtual discussion to hear our brilliant panellists talk about their career journeys, what they love about their current role and finding their working purpose / ‘why?’.
Joelle Locko (Graduate Engineer at WSP and the ICE Bristol City Club Secretary) facilitated an open and honest conversation with:
Claire Ruggiero – Global Railway Systems Lead at DNV
Clare Woolley – Chief Risk and Legal Officer at the RAC
Jade Edwards – Head of Insights at Zap Map
Philippa Hammersley – Account Director at Balfour Beatty
Each panellist recognised that every job they’ve held, such as assistants in retail and convenience stores or as a telephone operative at the NSPCC, helped them to develop skills they use in their role today.
Managing competing demands from busy tasks during the working day or understanding how to deal with inputs from customers and members of the public were just some of the examples mentioned.
Clare Woolley said “[my early roles] enabled me to learn more about people and the challenges they face” “[these roles have] made me more grateful for finding a job I love and get lots out of, and have an appreciation of my wider privilege to be in this position”.
They all agreed that whilst transport can be a challenging technical industry, it provides plenty of opportunities to find your place.
“[I love] the culture [in this industry] and the people we work with”.
“It’s the complex problems we have to work through that provide a massive challenge, but also give us a huge buzz”.
The conversation moved to how we can take and create opportunities in our career. That we as women, “don’t have to be the loudest voice in the room, or compete, to be heard. We can bring value in our differing perspectives and be inquisitive.”
How showing allyship in the industry doesn’t always need to be through organised networks. It can be demonstrated by individuals offering help and experience when someone needs support.
Jade Edwards said “having fantastic female leaders that are inspirational by lifting up others, and points you in the right direction of others” shows encouragement and championship.
Thank you to Joelle for her superb chairing of the session, and to our panellists for their invaluable insights and advice.
The webinar was recorded. If you’d like to catch up, follow the link here, or watch below:
If you enjoyed this event, or missed this one and would like to join an upcoming session with Women in Transport or with a regional hub of WiT, check out the main events calendar here.