UKTram spotlights the women shaping the future of light rail for International Women in Engineering day 2026
- Jun 23
- 5 min read
This International Women in Engineering Day, UKTram is celebrating the women helping shape the future of light rail and the wider transport sector. We invited members to nominate colleagues from across their organisations to take part in an awareness campaign to showcase the many different voices and career journeys in our industry. The response was overwhelming.
We spoke with women maintaining infrastructure, managing projects, and designing future networks - each making significant contributions across the sector. Their stories show there is no single path into engineering or transport. For some, engineering was always the dream. Sophie Mills, Assistant Technician for Infrastructure Engineering at Keolis Nottingham, reflected:
"I've always had a love for engineering and understanding how things work. Having a career which has a practical element is also a priority. I enjoy how practical and varied my job is. I like knowing I've fixed or helped fix something substantial to the network."
For others, the motivation came from a desire to make a difference. Clara Odede, Rolling Stock Asset Engineer at Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, recalls a lecture from her university days that has stayed with her ever since.
"In one of the first lectures I attended, the lecturer described a doctor as a person who fixes individual problems, whereas an engineer can fix societal problems through science and technology.
"I'm quite people driven, so this was appealing to me as the impact felt more lasting and affected a larger scale of society."
Anna Tyler, Senior Civil Engineer at Mott MacDonald, was inspired by something different. "I loved exploring how cities worked," Anna explains. "Visiting a new place and seeing what they had built, and why, and how people moved through it, was always something that interested me.
"I quite enjoyed maths and figuring out problems, so engineering just seemed like a good choice when I was exploring my options.
While the inspiration behind these careers differs, so too do the routes people have taken to get here. One of the strongest themes running through the responses was that there is no 'typical' engineering career and that entering the sector doesn't always mean following a traditional path.
Helen Cooper, Project Manager at Midland Metro Limited, spent much of her career in public service before joining the industry.
"Having spent my career in public service, from the Prison Service to Social Support, I've always been driven by making a positive difference in people's lives. Engineering offered a new way to serve communities by contributing to the infrastructure that keeps them connected and moving."
Nicola Butler, Assistant Technician at Keolis Nottingham, discovered her path through hands-on experience;
"Coming from various roles and careers that involved very hands-on and manual work, when I joined NET (Nottingham Express Transit), I knew the place where I would feel most at home was within the engineering department. When the opportunity arose, I thought I would give it a try, and it feels like the perfect fit for me."
A similar willingness to embrace new challenges inspired Bhavishka Seewoo, Principal Track Technical Officer at KeolisAmey Docklands. "I was drawn to engineering through a combination of curiosity and the desire to step out of my comfort zone," Bhavishka explains.
"I joined KeolisAmey Docklands as a Passenger Service Agent and wanted to know what happens in engineering hours. I was keen to keep learning and was given the opportunity to explore track engineering, which led me to become more involved in track maintenance on the DLR."
Today, these women work across a wide range of disciplines. Sophie and Nicola maintain the Nottingham tram network, carrying out inspections on points and substations, monitoring overhead lines and responding to faults as they arise.
For Clara, the role is centred around safety and reliability.
"I'm responsible for the asset management of all subway rolling stock and rail-mounted plant, ensuring the safety and performance of the trains," she explains.
Meanwhile, Anna spends her time designing transport infrastructure, much of it within light rail.
"My day-to-day involves exploring options for new tram routes, designing alignments for new track and thinking about how to fit a tram stop in with the urban landscape around it. It's an interesting and varied job, and I really enjoy how much I get to interface with other engineering disciplines."
The diversity of roles is matched by the diversity of experiences. When asked what they enjoy most about working in the sector, contributors spoke about everything from problem-solving and teamwork to the simple satisfaction of seeing their work make a difference in people's everyday lives.
Evelyn Diaz, Graduate Engineer in Rolling Stock and Tram Engineering at KeolisAmey Metrolink, enjoys the pace and purpose of the industry.
"I enjoy being part of an industry that directly shapes people's daily lives, engineering in transport is fast-paced, collaborative and full of opportunities to solve meaningful problems."
Others too, are attracted to the unpredictability of the work. "I love being outdoors," says Nicola. "Coming into work not knowing what can lie ahead gives you job satisfaction. The variation makes it enjoyable."
For Helen, the reward lies in solving problems. "What I enjoy most is tackling challenges that others believe can't be solved," she explains. "Knowing that I can help turn ambitious goals into reality is what makes this sector so rewarding."
When asked what advice they would give to young women considering engineering or transport, the responses were simple yet inspiring.
"Be proud to be a female in transport or engineering," says Sophie.
"Try something new, you might love it!" adds Nicola.
Anna believes stereotypes should never hold people back.
"Anyone from any background could be good at engineering, and genuine curiosity and enthusiasm will get you most of the way there. "And ignore the stereotypes – pursue whatever you want."
Bhavishka agrees: "Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Engineering and transport offer plenty of opportunities, and there's room for diverse perspectives and strengths.
"Your presence matters."
These stories demonstrate the breadth of talent across light rail and the many different routes into the sector. They show that engineering is not defined by a single background or skill set. Rather, it is shaped by curiosity and a willingness to keep learning.
As the collective voice of light rail in the UK and Ireland, UKTram is committed to inspiring the next generation and highlighting those already making a difference in our industry. If these stories achieve one thing, we hope someone considering a career in engineering or transport sees themselves reflected and feels encouraged to take the first step.
Because, as Clara so perfectly put it:
"There are over six million people working in engineering just in the UK. There's a place for you."
We know there are many more stories waiting to be told. UKTram will continue to support the people behind our industry and welcomes opportunities to showcase the individuals making a difference across light rail and transport.
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