On 14th May 2025, members of Women in Transport came together at the Turner & Townsend office in Glasgow for an insightful event on “Gender in Transport Procurement.” The evening featured a keynote talk from Evelyn McDowall, Procurement Director at Turner & Townsend, followed by a networking session.
Evelyn McDowall brought over 30 years of experience in procurement and contract management to the discussion, spanning sectors such as transport, higher education, local and central government, housing, and commercial real estate. Her background in both public and private sector delivery has shaped her approach to managing complex contracts effectively, from business case development to post-contract management.
Evelyn shared her professional journey, from her early days at Glasgow Housing Association and the Wheatley Group, to her current leadership role at Turner & Townsend. She also highlighted the range of procurement support her team provides across transport programmes, including high-profile projects like the Midlands Mainline Electrification.
A key focus of her presentation was inclusion within procurement teams. Evelyn provided gender representation statistics from her department and discussed the company's wider commitment to equity and diversity in the workplace.
The event also featured contributions from other members of the Turner & Townsend procurement team, who offered candid reflections on their own career journeys and shared personal perspectives on the gender dynamics within the transport procurement field.
Following this, Evelyn answered questions from the guests which ranged from how diversity and inclusion is incorporated in procurement for the business to ways in which Turner and Townsend provide assurance against their commitment to inclusivity
The evening concluded with a networking session, giving Women in Transport members the chance to connect, share experiences, and continue the conversation in a more informal setting.
Event Feedback
“Great session today. Really enjoyed finding out more about the importance of inclusivity within procurement.”
“Fantastic evening listening and learning from a wonderful bunch of women at Turner & Townsend yesterday. Always a pleasure to be at a Women in Transport event!”“A lovely evening with Women in Transport at our Turner & Townsend Glasgow office.
Thank you to the organisers and speakers, it was a great opportunity to meet some more members and talk about all things transport.”
If you’re interested in supporting our future events, whether by suggesting topics or recommending speakers, please get in touch with us at scotland@womenintransport.com.