Alexander Coniff, British Antarctic Survey (BAS)

Alexander is Engineering Manager at British Antarctic Survey, providing technical assurance for the £670m Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme. A Royal Engineers veteran and dyslexic engineer who left school without A-levels, he has built his career through entirely non-traditional routes and is now pursuing a PhD on Antarctic construction. Alexander shares his story openly, mentors engineers at BAS, is developing a professional registration support programme and is a Mental Health First Aider for polar personnel.

Arrmeila Jeyanathan, Heathrow

Arrmeila is a Senior Engineer at Heathrow Airport, leading rail control and signalling systems including the Heathrow Pod and the Terminal 5 Tracked Transit System. She has delivered innovative asset strategies, improved reliability and strengthened cyber resilience across safety-critical infrastructure. The only female engineer in her team, Arrmeila is Treasurer and former Chair of the IET London Young Professionals Committee, leading initiatives such as Female Leaders and inspiring the next generation through STEM outreach.

Elisabeth Eweka, ENGRL

Elisabeth is a Principal Digital Engineer at Hoare Lea specialising in smart buildings, with projects including Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Dubai’s Museum of the Future. She founded ENGRL (Girls in Engineering), the UK’s largest digital platform inspiring girls to explore engineering careers, reaching over 150,000 young people and supporting more than 1,000 girls through mentoring communities. Her work has been recognised by WES, CITB and UN Women UK.

Jon Callahan, Morson Praxis

Jon is an engineering leader at Morson Praxis and one of the youngest Fellows of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. He has helped grow an early careers programme from 15 to over 130 engineers and created a Systems and Software Training Academy to bridge the gap between academia and industry. As STEM Lead, Jon has trained 20% of his organisation as STEM Ambassadors, driving outreach with girls, disadvantaged young people and SEN pupils.

Neh Sharma, Sweco

Neh is a Senior Energy Engineer at Sweco UK, working across building services, Solar PV, battery storage and critical infrastructure, including the British Antarctic Survey’s Discovery Building. He developed an east–west Solar PV strategy that flattens generation peaks and improves grid interaction. Holding a Master’s in Renewable Energy with a Class Medal, Neh mentors emerging engineers through the EqualEngineers Scotland Pathways Programme and supports international engineers moving into the UK sector.

Padmaja Das, Rolls-Royce SMR

Padmaja is a Nuclear Deterministic Safety Engineer at Rolls-Royce SMR with 12 years’ experience across air, submarine and nuclear reactor engineering. Her safety analysis, including benchmarking work in response to the nuclear regulator, provides confidence in a safe and robust SMR design. A champion for justice and equality who challenged discrimination in the armed forces, she now channels that experience into STEM outreach and the REACH and Sentinel networks, encouraging BAME communities and veterans into nuclear.

Ruth Augarde, Frazer-Nash Consultancy

Ruth is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer at Frazer-Nash Consultancy whose technical skills are enabling safe nuclear power generation, having lead-authored several safety documents for new nuclear sites despite being the youngest in her client group. She helped organise the Bristol event for WES’s Watts in a Home centenary project, and uses her lived experience of neurodiversity to inspire, mentor and build confidence in others across schools and professional networks.

Asfarina Jamaluddin, Lucideon

Asfarina is a Materials Engineering Apprentice in Lucideon’s Advanced Materials Department, tackling real-world challenges across the aerospace, defence and energy sectors. She has made significant contributions to flash sintering, helping develop a novel sintering rig and scale up the process by 300%. Passionate about women in STEM, Asfa is a role model for Inspiration Academy, participates in Skills Advisory Panels and promotes engineering at school events, showing that engineering is for everyone.

Billy Wilson, Equans

Billy is an Electrical Apprentice at Equans UK & Ireland whose ingenuity has transformed maintenance strategy. By reverse-engineering faulty components and pioneering on-site 3D printing of replacements, he has delivered annual savings of over £173,000 while reducing waste and emissions. Winner of five internal apprentice awards and fast-tracked for Authorised Person training, Billy also mentors young people facing barriers to employment, including care leavers, as an Equans Apprentice Ambassador.

Charlotte Ellis, EDF Energy

Charlotte is a Nuclear Engineering Degree Apprentice with EDF at Hinkley Point C, now working as a system engineer in Equipment Reliability after placements including a secondment at Sizewell B. Motivated by her own move across the country at 18 while managing anxiety and ADHD, she co-founded the Nuclear Apprentice Community, which now supports over 140 apprentices nationwide. Through outreach, STEM Ambassador work and EDF’s Outreach Network Committee, she inspires women and neurodivergent future engineers.

Evie Challoner-Miles, Amazon

Evie is an Automation Degree Apprentice at Amazon who led her first self-led project end to end, teaching herself new programming and CAD skills to deliver a controlled stop function that improved operator safety and cut average jam clearance from 4.76 minutes to around 90 seconds. An active member of Amazon RME’s Women in Engineering group, she represents Amazon at careers fairs, competed at WorldSkills in Automation and volunteers as a STEM tutor and mentor.

Hasiba Nawaz, Balmoral Tanks

Hasiba is a Junior Systems Development Engineer at Balmoral Tanks, having recently completed a Level 3 Advanced Manufacturing Engineering apprenticeship. She led the standardisation of a critical tank component, cutting manufacturing time from around 800 to 350 hours and reducing rework. As a young Pakistani woman in engineering, Hasiba shares her journey through Girls Gone STEM, public speaking and social media, and as a STEM Ambassador, inspiring more diverse pathways into engineering.

Louise Wooldridge, EDF Energy

Louise is a Quality Practitioner Apprentice with EDF at Hinkley Point C who moved into engineering after careers in hairdressing, retail and finance. She led a structured investigation into recurring failures in a high-risk materials-delivery and documentation process, delivering clear, practical solutions that improved its reliability. Louise promotes inclusion by sharing her career-change story, advocating for accessibility and supporting peers, and is on track to achieve a distinction at college.

Suleymaan Khan, FANUC Industrial Robots

Suleymaan is a robotics engineering apprentice at FANUC who applies his industry training to widen access to engineering. Alongside his apprenticeship, he founded The Suleybotics Workshop CIC, designing low-cost, modular robotics kits and delivering hands-on sessions in schools and community settings for young people from underrepresented backgrounds. His work challenges stereotypes and shows how apprentices can create meaningful social impact through practical, hands-on engineering.

Beth Probert, University of Strathclyde

Beth is a third-year PhD student at the University of Strathclyde developing decentralised systems that prevent satellite collisions. A first-generation student and career changer, she left a five-year industry career to pursue her research. Beth volunteers over 150 hours a year, leading a Beaver Scout colony with her own Space Activity Badge, delivering workshops for girls and serving as a STEM Ambassador, while sharing her journey through her blog, She Codes the Cosmos.

Diya Agrawal, Imperial College London

Diya is a third-year PhD student in Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London, researching nanoparticle-driven stroke therapies. As President of the PhD Committee, she fosters an inclusive, international community through student representation and cultural celebrations. Diya hosts the Imperial ChemEng Cast podcast, making cutting-edge research accessible to the public, and runs hands-on workshops for high school students and International Women’s Day sessions, inspiring young people to pursue engineering.

Grace Betta, University of Birmingham

Grace is a Mechanical Engineering student and Vice President of Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) at the University of Birmingham. Committed to increasing participation of underrepresented groups, particularly Black women in engineering, she organised Equal in STEM with the Black Ethnic and Minority Society and Out in STEM, and supports the Together Beyond networking initiative. As an outreach ambassador and peer study leader, Grace helps students feel represented, empowered and confident in STEM.

Nidhi Camal-Javaharlal, Loughborough University

Nidhi is a Chemical Engineering undergraduate at Loughborough University on an industrial placement with EDF at Hinkley Point C, contributing to engineering solutions in a safety-critical nuclear environment. Her academic excellence has been recognised with the Jack Harris Prize and the WES Female Engineer of the Year Award. Through EDF’s Industrial Placement Society and her roles as an IChemE and STEM Ambassador, she encourages young women and underrepresented students to see that they belong in engineering.

Rachel Kovacs, The University of Sheffield

Rachel is an engineering student at the University of Sheffield who seeks out the problems others overlook. Drawing on her own long path to diagnosis, she independently founded the university’s first Women’s Health Innovation Challenge, bringing together 50 students to tackle gaps in women’s healthcare, with 86% leaving with a changed view of women’s health. Through more than 150 hours of outreach, mentoring and makerspace training, she consistently opens doors for others.

Tiffany Kibutu, Manchester Metropolitan University

Tiffany is a Biomedical Engineering student at Manchester Metropolitan University, currently completing a year in industry at Harman Technology. A champion of patient-focused healthcare engineering that designs for real-world variation, she shared this message at Speak Out for Engineering and has presented internationally in Denmark. Through peer guiding, ambassador roles and the IMechE Young Members Panel, Tiffany promotes visibility and representation, particularly for women and Black students in engineering.

Amanda Rocca, UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA)

Amanda is a Graduate Electrical Engineer at the UK Atomic Energy Authority, contributing to the electrical infrastructure design for STEP, the UK’s first prototype fusion power plant, and supporting the commissioning of high-power gyrotrons for the MAST-U tokamak. Originally from Venezuela, she brings determination and a commitment to clean energy, and is a passionate advocate for diversity, leading by example as a visible role model for people from underrepresented backgrounds.

Esther Memeh, Savills

Esther is a Graduate Engineer in the Savills M&E Consultancy team who has moved from civil engineering into building services, contributing to projects across RIBA Stages 1–5 and leading smaller schemes. On secondment, her analysis identified measures that could cut energy use at one property by around 20%. As a STEM Ambassador and CIBSE YEN London committee member, Esther uses her visibility as a young Black woman in the industry to inspire the next generation.

Mateusz Wrobel, Resolute Energy Solutions

Matt is a First-Class Civil Engineering graduate from the University of Aberdeen, where he achieved the highest GPA in his cohort. Working with Resolute Energy Solutions as a Knowledge Transfer Partnership Associate, he develops sustainable cementitious materials for oil and gas decommissioning, building on research projects in the UK and Canada. Having studied as an international student without scholarship support, Matt mentors dissertation students and serves on the AACE Early Career Group committee.

Murtada Dafalla, Rolls-Royce

Murtada is a graduate engineer on the Rolls-Royce Civil Aerospace scheme and a Presidential Scholar from Imperial College London. He developed a MATLAB-based tool that automated an engine performance modelling process, and led a team of graduates and apprentices to deliver a global safety campaign reaching more than 40,000 employees. As a Royal Academy of Engineering GEEP ambassador, Murtada returns to schools and speaks openly about his journey to make engineering more accessible.

Nyasha Mutembwa, Amey

Nyasha is a graduate engineer at Amey who combines early-career technical practice with visible leadership on inclusion. A former two-term elected Students’ Union President – the first Black woman and first engineering student in the role – she has contributed to inclusive recruitment, strategic EDI discussions and STEM outreach since joining industry. A featured voice on The Engineering Talent Podcast, Nyasha uses authentic storytelling to challenge stereotypes and inspire future engineers.

Anna Shkurba, Jacobs

Anna is an engineer at Jacobs with experience of local and international projects of every scale. Since returning to engineering, she has supported Heathrow Airport’s net zero ambitions through sustainable water design, including greywater recycling and rainwater harvesting. Having faced bias against women in engineering abroad and rebuilt her career after a break and an emergency relocation as a single parent, Anna’s story was featured by STEM Returners for International Women in Engineering Day 2025.

Khabat Marjani, Avove Utilities

Khabat is a Senior Civil Engineer at Avove with over 17 years’ experience in oil, gas and petrochemical projects in Iran. After a career break following his relocation to the UK, he returned to engineering with the support of STEM Returners and has quickly made an impact, redesigning a containment membrane route on the Brand Sands project to reduce excavation and cost. He also fosters a positive, supportive team culture through practical solutions and clear communication.

Emelia Anima Ntiamoah, Global Queens

Emelia is Controls Engineering Lead at SLB-OneSubsea, where she has integrated global teams delivering projects across Norway, the UK, India and Brazil, and acted as a Change and Culture Ambassador during a major organisational integration. A Fellow of IIRSM and the Women’s Engineering Society and a STEM Ambassador at Stemazing, she mentors underrepresented talent, advocates for gender representation and contributed to the first virtual COP for youth climate participation.

Jack Self, Amazon

Jack has transformed Amazon’s Reliability and Maintenance Engineering teams through a people-first approach built on trust, psychological safety and inclusion. By shifting teams from reactive firefighting to proactive ownership and strengthening collaboration with Operations, Jack has delivered measurable improvements in reliability, performance and engagement. Championing the Together as Allies inclusive leadership programme and DEI training for engineers at every level, Jack has created an environment where diverse talent thrives.

Jan Simpson, Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA Joint Venture

Jan is a Senior Engineering Manager at Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA Joint Venture with over 25 years’ experience delivering major infrastructure projects, leading both the Consents Managers team and Off-Site Logistics. She combines technical excellence with compassionate leadership, restructuring workloads to protect wellbeing under programme pressure and tailoring support to individual needs. As a senior female leader, Jan is a visible role model who develops diverse talent and challenges traditional engineering stereotypes.

Professor Emanuela Tilley, University College London

Emanuela is Professor of Engineering Education at UCL, Director of the award-winning Integrated Engineering Programme and President of the European Society for Engineering Education (SEFI). She has led major institutional change, including embedding sustainability education across all UCL undergraduate programmes, potentially reaching over 20,000 students a year. One of UCL’s first Teaching Track Professors, she shapes inclusive engineering education policy and culture internationally.

Simon Barry, Theatre Royal

Simon is Estates Manager and Engineering & Electrical Lead at Theatre Royal Plymouth, where he has turned a small, unempowered group of engineers into a cohesive, driven team. By introducing a planner-led defect management system, he cut outstanding tasks from over 3,000 to around 120. Passionate about recruiting the right person rather than a stereotype, Simon has built a diverse team and is a true champion of those with smaller voices.

Suzie Siddall, Opus International Products

Suzie is Managing Director of Opus International Products, where she has driven both business growth and a more inclusive workplace culture. Over the past year she has championed diverse talent, made recruitment, mentoring and development opportunities accessible to underrepresented groups, and encouraged cross-functional collaboration. By challenging traditional perceptions of engineering and celebrating diverse pathways into the profession, Suzie is supporting the next generation of engineering leaders.

Dr Amina Hamoud, University of the West of England

Amina is a Lecturer in Systems Engineering at UWE Bristol and EDI lead for her school, based at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory. She brings advanced robotics research directly into her teaching, guiding students through complex artificial intelligence projects such as reinforcement learning for drone control and helping them publish real academic papers. Her practical approach and commitment to mentoring students from all backgrounds make her a standout leader in engineering education.

Dr Thomas Gilbert, University College London

Thomas has made a transformative contribution to student engagement in UCL’s Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, rebuilding the Fleming Society and expanding his ‘What I Wish I Knew’ initiative into a faculty-wide programme. Trained as a Mental Health First Aider and Wellbeing Champion, he provides vital support on complex student issues, while leading schools outreach with the Engineering Skills Foundation and contributing to the department’s Athena Swan actions.

Kate Robinson, The Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology

Kate led the creation of Engineering Discovery at The Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology, a hands-on induction module that strengthens student confidence, technical grounding and belonging. Its success has influenced wider teaching practice, and it will become a credit-bearing module. Kate also leads Team Discovery, improving equitable access to workplace opportunities, and provides tailored support for students facing academic, workplace or wellbeing challenges.

Marika Woods, Runshaw College

Marika leads the T Level Design Engineering course at Runshaw College, bridging the gap between education and industry. A fierce advocate for women in STEM, she has run women-only STEM trips, created a podcast and celebrated successful female role models. Through industry visits, live briefs and placements with employers including BAE Systems, and as Co-Chair of the AoC T Level Communities of Practice, she ensures her students gain the real-world skills they need to succeed.

Advanced Engineering, Blackpool and The Fylde College

The Advanced Engineering team at Blackpool and The Fylde College delivers a diverse curriculum from school links to degree-level programmes. Despite significant challenges, including high staff absence and growing learner numbers, the team maintained consistently strong delivery through resilience and teamwork. Partnerships with industry, professional bodies and schools, including employer visits to Amazon and Toyota, help learners from non-traditional backgrounds progress into higher education and skilled employment.

Early Careers Team, Alfa Laval

The Early Careers team at Alfa Laval UK & Ireland – Fi Johnson, Dale Crowder and Ashley Hardy – has introduced engineering apprenticeships to the business for the first time. They selected a values-aligned provider and recruited four apprentices through a robust process designed to build a supportive cohort. Working closely with the college and university, the team has carefully integrated the apprentices into a long-serving workforce, ensuring they are supported both academically and in the workplace.

Early Careers Team, EDF Energy

EDF’s Early Careers team supports apprentices, industrial placement students and graduates through collaborative, individual-focused leadership. Its programmes achieve exceptional outcomes, including a 97% apprenticeship achievement rate and national award recognition, with wellbeing and personalised support at the heart of delivery. Through industry collaborations and award-winning partnership projects, the team makes a meaningful contribution to the wider engineering and nuclear skills pipeline.

Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Plymouth

The University of Plymouth’s Faculty of Science and Engineering team co-created Going Nuclear, a master’s module developed with Babcock International and the Ministry of Defence in response to national nuclear skills shortages. Bringing together academics from across disciplines with industry experts as guest lecturers and mentors, the module bridges academia and real-world practice, promoting diversity and interdisciplinary learning while setting a new benchmark for nuclear education.

Team Bath Heart, University of Bath

Team Bath Heart is a student-led medical engineering team from the University of Bath dedicated to revolutionising mechanical circulatory support. Combining award-winning technical design with a commitment to inclusive healthcare, the team has pioneered research into a female-inclusive Total Artificial Heart and won Most Advanced Design at the international Heart Hackathon. With a diverse leadership team and a focus on member wellbeing, it empowers students to tackle global health challenges.

Williams F1 STEM Experience Day, Atlassian Williams F1 Team

Atlassian Williams F1 Team’s STEM programme delivers free STEM Experience Days, travel included, to schools from across the UK five days a week, breaking down financial and geographical barriers to motorsport and engineering. Combining sim racing, a museum of championship-raced F1 cars and hands-on workshops, the team engages thousands more young people at events such as Goodwood and Silverstone, and in 2026 takes its activities to F1 races worldwide.

Informational Boards with QR Codes, Taylor Woodrow

Mena, a Site Engineer and Consents Manager on HS2 Old Oak Common, developed a QR-enabled informational board system that replaces static, outdated signage with real-time digital updates. Combining clear visual displays with live content, the solution improves clarity, safety, transparency and accessibility for the workforce, visitors and the wider community, offering a scalable approach to people-focused communication across major infrastructure projects.

Low-Cost Gesture-Controlled Robotic Hand, Suleymaan Khan

Suleymaan, a robotics engineering apprentice, developed a low-cost, gesture-controlled robotic hand that makes advanced engineering accessible to more young people. By rethinking the design, he reduced the cost of a robotic system from hundreds or thousands of pounds to around £30, enabling learners from underrepresented backgrounds to build, test and understand robotics for themselves – proof that simple, practical innovation can remove real barriers.

PhycoClean: Biogenic Point Source Carbon Capture, Nellie Technologies

Nellie Technologies’ PhycoClean system captures industrial CO₂ using rapidly growing microalgae in proprietary photobioreactors, converting it into biochar for agricultural soils. Developed with Innovate UK and industrial partners, including a UK paper mill, it offers heavy industry a cost-effective alternative to complex point-source capture. By linking decarbonisation with circular resource use, PhycoClean demonstrates a scalable pathway to carbon removal.

60th Anniversary Bursaries, Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE)

The Institute of Highway Engineers’ 60th Anniversary Bursaries celebrate its diamond anniversary by supporting members at every career stage. Offering awards from £1,000 to £20,000 across early years study, professional registration and personal development, the scheme helps members overcome barriers such as cost, time and childcare. Ten members received bursaries in 2025, and all professional registration recipients have now submitted their applications.

Be Yourself at Equans UK & Ireland, Equans

Equans’ Be Yourself programme embeds diversity, equity and inclusion across recruitment, engagement, talent development and community outreach. Since 2022 it has driven a 9% rise in female new starters, with a third of apprentices female or from underrepresented groups and minority ethnicities making up 19% of engineering roles, above the industry average. Its Girls Believe Academy reached over 1,500 students in 2025, inspiring girls into STEM.

Engineering Foundation Year, University College London

The UCL Engineering Foundation Year is a flagship programme bridging the gap for high-potential students from underrepresented or non-traditional backgrounds. This intensive one-year course builds the mathematical foundations and technical skills needed for undergraduate study, preparing students for UCL’s hands-on Integrated Engineering Programme. A cornerstone of UCL’s inclusion policy, it ensures a student’s background does not limit their potential to become a world-class engineer.

Girls in Tech, University of Liverpool

Girls in Tech at the University of Liverpool has grown from 30 to over 320 members in its first year, a 1,000% increase driven by creative events that make professional development irresistible. From sold-out CEO panels and AI workshops to Arduino sessions and partnerships with companies including Visa and BAE Systems, the society equips women with the skills, networks and confidence to succeed in STEM.

Staffs Computing Society, University of Staffordshire

Staffs Computing Society is a student-led, tech-first community at the University of Staffordshire focused on employability, inclusion and applied learning. Growing from 130 to 210 members, it has delivered more than 35 events, an expanded mentorship scheme with employers such as Barclays and bet365, and a UK-wide Diversity in Tech conference. Free, self-funded and accessible, the society also delivers hands-on teaching in schools.

UCL Fleming Society, University College London

UCL Fleming Society has transformed the student experience in Electronic and Electrical Engineering, with over 600 members and more than 60 events a year delivered alongside 20+ industry partners. Its commitment to diversity, wellbeing and widening participation – from Diwali and Engineering Iftar celebrations to Project X – has created a highly inclusive community and contributed 20% of the department’s Athena Swan Silver action plan.

Women in Mechanical Engineering Outreach, Imperial College London

Women in Mechanical Engineering Outreach (WiME) at Imperial College London tackles gender and socioeconomic disparities in engineering through student-led presentations and workshops in London schools. This year it has reached over 1,900 students across more than 20 events at girls’ schools and schools with high free school meal eligibility, and won the Imperial President’s Award for Societal Engagement.

Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE), University of Birmingham

Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) at the University of Birmingham is a student-led society supporting women, non-binary and transgender students in STEM. Through careers events, wellbeing initiatives, its Equal in STEM conference with partner societies and its long-running Girls in STEM outreach programme in local schools, WiSE has built a welcoming community while inspiring young pupils.

Armed Forces Steering Group, Mott MacDonald

Mott MacDonald’s Armed Forces Steering Group works to make the business a great place for the Forces community to work. With dedicated leads for veterans, families, Reservists and cadet instructors, and a budget secured for the first time, it has increased its presence at Armed Forces events, driven sector-leading policy changes and overseen a rise in recruitment, including a significant increase in military family member employees.

EMEA Women at Reliability and Maintenance Engineering, Amazon

EMEA Women at RME, Amazon’s regional network for women in Reliability and Maintenance Engineering, has delivered outstanding impact over the past year. From hosting a 120+ delegate international INWED Summit to increasing offer accepts through inclusive attraction in hiring and supporting award-winning apprentices, the network’s work is now part of Amazon RME’s strategic priorities, with senior leadership sponsorship secured for 2026.

Neurodiversity @ SLR, SLR Consulting

Neurodiversity @ SLR promotes an inclusive environment where neurodivergent colleagues feel valued and supported. The network raises awareness, provides training, encourages peer connection and works with managers to improve workplace practice. Over the past year it introduced the Working Adjustment Passport in the UK and Ireland, expanded global initiatives and hosted educational webinars, with direct engagement from the CEO strengthening its influence.

REACH – supporting religious, ethnic and cultural inclusion, Rolls-Royce SMR

REACH, Rolls-Royce SMR’s network for religious, ethnic and cultural inclusion, provides a safe space and collective voice for colleagues and their allies. In 2025 it devised the CIRI model – Celebrate, Inspire, Represent and Inform – now adopted by every network in the business. Trusted with its own budget and backed by senior leadership, REACH has helped Rolls-Royce SMR become an Investing in Ethnicity Star Employer and Top 30 Organisation.

VINCI Early Careers Women’s Network, Taylor Woodrow

The Early Careers Women’s Network was founded by five early-careers women at VINCI to support and connect women entering construction. In its first year it has grown to 60 members, offering site visits, senior leader talks and development opportunities that build confidence and business knowledge. 95% of members say it makes them more likely to stay at VINCI, and all agree it provides opportunities they would not otherwise have had.

Boccard

Boccard UK is a success story of the nuclear renaissance, supplying high-integrity pipework and supports to Hinkley Point C and preparing for Sizewell C and future SMRs. Having grown to 210 employees and onboarded seven apprentices and more than 25 graduates in three years, it prioritises wellbeing through engagement events and mental health initiatives, and will welcome its first female Welding Apprentice in 2026.

Nellie Technologies

Nellie Technologies is a UK engineering SME developing bioengineered systems that capture CO₂ and convert it into stable biochar. Integrating directly with industrial processes, its multidisciplinary team delivers practical, cost-effective decarbonisation. As a participant in the Royal Academy of Engineering’s RAE+ programme, Nellie embeds inclusive recruitment and culture, while a flexible, collaborative way of working supports wellbeing in a high-growth environment.

Opus International Products

Opus is a fast-growing manufacturing SME delivering prototyping and production solutions to the automotive, defence, medical and off-highway industries. Its team spans more than a dozen nationalities, and the company promotes inclusive recruitment, open-door management and regular wellbeing check-ins, alongside occupational health checks for production operators. Through continuous investment in people, technology and culture, Opus has become a trusted, forward-thinking manufacturing partner.

Arup

Arup is a global, employee-owned firm with a values-led approach to wellbeing and inclusion. Its five-year strategy, From EDI to Belonging, focuses on systemic change, data-led action and long-term investment in underrepresented and hidden minority engineers, supported by its employee Connect Networks. Mental health first aiders, flexible working and leadership accountability reflect its commitment to being a ‘humane organisation’.

BAE Systems Naval Ships

BAE Systems has shown strong commitment to underrepresented engineers through its partnership with STEM Returners. Since 2017, it has welcomed over 100 returners – more than any other partner – with seven joining key roles in the past year, including people from minority backgrounds and those returning after long career breaks. Inclusive recruitment, mentoring and flexible working help returners rebuild confidence and thrive.

GKN Aerospace

GKN Aerospace embeds inclusion, wellbeing and belonging across its engineering and operational environments through measurable action. Initiatives include neurodiverse engineering internships with Ambitious About Autism and UWE, inclusive apprentice recruitment, disability employment programmes and support for veterans and reservists, alongside Employee Resource Groups, Mental Health First Aiders and a wellbeing measure in its engagement survey.

Morson Praxis

Morson Praxis is a UK consultancy delivering multidisciplinary engineering, building consultancy and technology services. Guided by its values of collaboration, courage, care and curiosity, it embeds inclusive recruitment, employee-led networks and unconscious bias training, while supporting wellbeing through mental health first aiders, regular check-ins and flexible working, creating a workplace where diverse perspectives thrive.

Taylor Woodrow

Taylor Woodrow is a leading UK infrastructure contractor committed to an inclusive engineering environment. Its Fairness, Inclusion and Respect Strategy and live action plan, issued at senior leadership level, are supported by active employee networks and attention to hidden minority groups such as neurodiversity. Combined with a supportive approach to wellbeing and professional development, the organisation champions equality and respect across its workforce.