International Women’s Day: Wisdom from women in rail

Daisy Chapman-Chamberlain, Innovation Manager, East West Rail

International Women’s Day is a vital opportunity for us to celebrate progress for gender inclusion in rail, as well as reflect on how far we have to go. Only around 17% of those employed in rail in the UK are women; it is essential that we continue to improve as a sector and make the industry more attractive to a diverse range of people. One of the most important ways to deliver this is to engage with, support, and fund Community Rail work. Community rail is a grassroots nationwide community movement, made up of community rail partnerships and ‘station friends’ volunteer groups, engaging local people with their railways. Some of the most important work they deliver is engaging women and girls in rail; from education programmes, to supporting refugees, to celebrating World Hijab Day. Anyone can get involved in Community Rail, both in a corporate support sense and as an individual!

Nthabiseng Kubheka, Chief Executive Officer, Bombela Operating Company

For women in business, I would say that despite the hype about ‘powerful women’ and ‘inspiring leaders’, it remains a challenge to navigate a corporate world where the rules of the game remain very much those of a less diverse past. So my message to women entering this world is: be confident in your capabilities; learn the rules quickly, adapt and challenge them in equal part and  network network network with as many other women and men as you can. These three tips will help you to open doors you had no idea existed.

For women in the mobility industry, I would say that this is a sector that is certainly not diverse in terms of number (women are about 20% of the global workforce) but in desperate need of drivers, engineers, mainteners, customer service assistants and other talents. So my message to women looking for opportunities is: the doors are wide open, and this sector is wonderfully local, meaningful, relevant to everyday life, filled with purpose – as well as global, highly technical, filled with complex projects that have a direct impact on cities everywhere.

Finally, for our daughters and sisters and women in general, my message would be: focus on education and building up relevant experience, join forces, support each other, embrace diversity, mentor the younger talents whose path you cross, and do get involved!

Dr. Maria Price (or Maria Price, DPhil.(Oxon)), Expert Senior Officer at OTIF

Transport is continuously evolving with new policy objectives, new technologies, automated operations and AI solutions.  As a mentor to those who want to be part of transport development, my advice has always been: “Be willing to evolve and grow as you learn at every job and as you gain experiences.  Be resilient and be relevant if you want to drive change and overcome challenges.”  Railway resilience concerns not only the railway system and its services, but also a much needed collaborative fora of competences, skills and most of all resilient staff that is able and willing to adapt to change. Today, there are much more opportunities to engage women in the railway sector. Moreover, when companies and organisations engage women in senior management roles and decision-making positions, they are not doing this to reach a quota, but they are doing this because they believe in diversity and collaboration. We have a responsibility as role models towards those who will follow us.

Charlotte Moss, United Nations Association of Australia (WA) Convenor

Let your passion for excellence and your dedication to your work shine brighter than any prejudice or bias you may face. Stay true to yourself and let your achievements speak for themselves. Your unique perspective and contributions are invaluable to making a brighter future for our industry. 

Vanessa C Perez Miranda, Advisor at UIC (International Union of Railway)

In the challenging field of public transport, my pearl of wisdom is anchored in the belief that innovation flourishes when fueled by curiosity and purpose. Seizing every opportunity to learn, adapt, and contribute meaningfully is pivotal to success. At this fascinating juncture, the convergence of AI and Public Transport emerges as a promising alliance. Recognising that AI’s hunger for data aligns with the abundance generated in Public Transport, we have a unique opportunity to harness this information effectively. This data, when well-managed, becomes a powerful tool to enhance efficiency and provide personalised services that cater to the diverse needs of our customers.

While AI plays a transformative role, it’s crucial to acknowledge its limitations. The human touch and the empathy remain irreplaceable, and as we embrace technology, placing the customer at the core is key. The future of information and customer care lies in personalisation. As we celebrate Global Railway Review’s thirtieth birthday, let’s remember that amidst all the advancements, creating a pleasant or even remarkable experience for the customer must be our ultimate goal with all the tools available.

Dr Hannah Richta, Head of Algorithms for Operations, DBInfraGO

Don‘t be afraid of being the only women in the room. And if there are other woman in the room start a cooperation instead of a competition. Soon you’ll become a member of the tight knit railroading family. You’ll find an interesting job with many opportunities and a great purpose – to keep the society and the economy running. Just think of all the people and goods traveling by train every day. And railroading is really multifaceted. You can start with (nearly) every background: operational staff, dispatching, service, maintenance, all flavors of MINT university education but also finance, human resources, marketing, law, education, or communication.

Shunturi Govender, Senior Civil Engineer, Arup

A rail network has a social, economic and environmental responsibility to any country. Infrastructure maintenance is a fundamental activity that is required to uphold this integrity of a country’s rail network and to achieve a safe, reliable, available, efficient and sustainable railway system. My advice is to keep it simple, stick to the fundamental principles, but always look at methods to improve efficiency. And remember as a women in rail, be fearless and strong minded, there are no “track boundaries’’ that limit you when making decisions for rail infrastructure maintenance.

Maggie Simpson, Director General at Rail Freight Group

My pearl of wisdom is to say yes, and embrace new opportunities  wherever you can.  Even the smallest of requests can lead to great things, building your experience and network along the way.  Don’t be closed to the task.

Kathryn Oldale, Head of Strategy, Policy and Communications, DB Cargo UK

Your skills currency is valuable.

When I was asked to write a paragraph of wisdom about my career in rail, I was immediately taken back to a place at the very start of my railroad journey, where a colleague (yes, the stereotype you’re thinking of is correct) advised me that what I knew about rail and our business you could write on the back of a postage stamp. And whilst he was correct that I didn’t know all the acronyms, junctions, gauges, wagon and loco types, my transferrable skills and leadership currency wasn’t recognised as a valuable commodity.

We spend so long focussing on expert details that as an industry we frequently overlook the fact that transferrable skills and great leadership qualities, are just what we need and will continue to need to revolutionise and modernise our sector and make it attractive to a whole new generation!

I often get caught in the ‘expert trap’, questioning my own knowledge and capability because I can’t recite sections of the Railway Act or Network Code – but I don’t need to. I have a trusted team of experts who’s job it is to do that and it’s mine to offer fresh perspective and create opportunity for change.

So here’s my wisdom, in a world of experts who can recite legislation and license, take them as your best friends and recognise that it’s unlikely that you’ll be an expert in everything. It’s ok to not know the answer, it’s another opportunity to learn and diversify your network finding the answer. We need to embrace difference in experience and perception because when we don’t, the old adage of insanity prevails – doing the same thing continually, scratching your head and wondering why the result isn’t different? Difference (in whatever guise) should be embraced as an opportunity to learn and improve. Be different, be brave and recognise the value in your own experience as your own universal currency.

Kamini Edgley, Director of Engineering, Asset Management, Safety and Sustainable Growth at Network Rail

I am who am I today because of women and men who have broken biases.  I therefore see it as my duty as a senior leader in the rail industry to pave the way for future generations to flourish in a more inclusive environment. As part of celebrating International Women’s Day 2024 to #Inspire Inclusion, my pearl of wisdom is to be resilient and look for allyship especially in the workplace. As a team member always be yourself and as a leader create the environment for your people to always bring their whole self to work so they can be their best.

Claire Volding FCIRO, Head of High Speed Operations, Network Rail High Speed

Women in the Rail Industry must not underestimate the importance of self-advocacy. It is vital that you proactively communicate your accomplishments and ambitions, which in turn showcase the value you bring and position you for success. Harness the power of stakeholders, mentors and sponsors who can support your advancement.

Milda Manomaityte, Innovation Director at Railway Industry Association

In the bustling world of business, especially within the dynamic realm of the rail industry, standing out is not just an option—it’s a necessity. I’ve discovered that embracing my unique blend of bold colours, striking silhouettes, and a personable approach to professional engagements has been my secret to success. To the brilliant minds navigating their paths: be unapologetically you. Your individuality is your greatest asset. Speak with conviction, laugh loudly, and encourage others to join in. I’ve learned that trying to blend into the background by conforming to ‘standard’ business etiquettes dimmed my light. It was by being genuinely myself—approachable to apprentices and CEOs alike—that I truly shone. To young professionals, and particularly to women, I say: wield your confidence like a beacon. Avoid apologetic language; be respectful, yet ensure you are heard. Your personality is not just an accessory in your professional toolkit; it’s a key ingredient in your recipe for success. Let’s not just fill spaces; let’s illuminate them.”

Kirsty Dias, Managing Director at Priestman Goode

With age comes experience and with experience comes confidence. Reading Sheryl Sandberg’s “Lean In” a number of years ago, really focussed my attention on having a place at the table, and importantly, a voice. I’m very fortunate to work with a brilliantly talented team, many of whom are women, and I try to use my voice and privilege to contribute to a culture where everyone feels that their opinions are respected and that they can perform at their best without fear of being patronised or put down, confident that their skill, expertise and excellence will be appreciated. We live in a world where imposter syndrome is felt widely, with an education system focused on examination for success rather than exploration, creativity, possible failure and resilience; the result of this is that many people lack confidence in their own abilities and opinions and as a result, take less risks to progress professionally. More often than not, you can do far more than you think…find a mentor, a friend, a trusted colleague and ask how they think you can improve, be open to criticism and try not to take these suggestions for improvement personally – we’re all learning all the time and no-one is the finished item, some are just a bit more polished with age.