Engineering a Future That Works for Everyone

I've always been interested in how things work. I originally thought I'd study Applied Physics but after some reflection, engineering made more sense. It offered practical application, a clearer path into industry and broader career options. I studied a wide range of disciplines before specialising in mechanical engineering, which eventually led me to building services.

I've worked at Black & White Engineering for over ten years, mostly in data centres and critical infrastructure design. The work is demanding but varied and that's what keeps it interesting. You're solving real problems, often across different geographies and regulatory contexts, but with shared technical challenges - efficiency, reliability and performance. The pace is fast, and expectations are high, but that's part of the appeal. It keeps you sharp.

Conversations about women in engineering tend to focus on recruitment. But the bigger issue isn't getting women into the sector - it's keeping them. That usually comes down to whether the job allows people to stay in the profession during periods of change, particularly around family. This isn't a theoretical concern, it's something many women face, and it has a real impact on retention, particularly mid-career.

When I took a break to have children, I was given the time and flexibility I needed. That included reduced hours for a period and a working arrangement that allowed me to balance home and work without stepping away from my role entirely. It meant I didn't have to choose between being present at home and continuing to progress at work. What worked for me won't work for everyone, but simply being asked what I needed, and being trusted to make it work, made a big difference. Not everyone gets that kind of support and many leave the profession as a result.Support doesn't have to mean a blanket policy. A case-by-case approach is often more effective. 

That same principle applies to mentoring. I've had excellent mentors throughout my career, both men and women. What mattered wasn't whether they'd had the same experiences, it was whether they understood that different people face different pressures. The best mentors didn't assume one route through the profession worked for everyone.

When I talk to younger people considering engineering, especially women, I try not to oversimplify it. If you're someone who likes solving problems and figuring out how things operate, it's a good fit. The skills you develop, particularly around analysis and structured problem solving, are useful across a lot of sectors, even if you don't stay in a traditional engineering role forever. It's a solid foundation that opens doors in all kinds of industries.

In building services, particularly data centres, the landscape is constantly shifting. The technical side is challenging, but the pace is what sets it apart. The systems we're designing now are more complex, more integrated and more sensitive to changes in regulation and client expectation than they were a decade ago. There's also a heightened focus on sustainability and energy efficiency, which is changing the way we approach everything from cooling systems to materials. That's not always easy, but it does create space for engineers who are adaptable and thorough.

What I'd like to see over the next five to ten years is a shift in how the profession defines success. Full-time, uninterrupted careers aren't the only valid model. Hybrid and flexible working should be part of the standard offer, not just for women, but for anyone with responsibilities or commitments outside the office. It's also what younger engineers are increasingly looking for - people coming into the industry now often expect flexibility as a baseline, not a bonus.

It's not about lowering expectations but rather being realistic about how people live and work in 2025. If you want to retain skilled engineers, you have to recognise that life doesn't always fit neatly around a 9-to-5. When you make that adjustment, you actually gain productivity. 

Engineering is often framed as a profession focused on systems and structures. But behind every design, every project and every delivery schedule, there are people. If the industry wants to grow, it has to work for the people in it. That's how we build resilience into the profession itself.