UKTram Celebrates International Women's Day: The Journey Towards Equal Tracks in Light Rail

The transport industry is evolving. The light rail sector is a clear example of positive change. As more women enter the industry, we are witnessing a shift towards greater inclusivity and diversity. However, challenges remain in addressing historical gender imbalances and ensuring transport is seen as an attractive career choice for women.

For International Women's Day, we caught up with some of our UKTram Non-Executive Board Members and our Business Manager Lorraine to discuss the progress made, the work still needed, and the importance of representation.

Women Leading the Way in Light Rail

Sophie Allison – Managing Director, West Midlands Metro & UKTram Board Member

Sophie oversees the safe and sustainable operation of West Midlands Metro. Sophie's leadership has been instrumental in steering the company through fleet repairs, service suspensions and the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games expansion.

Q: How has increased female representation contributed to innovation and sustainable growth?

Sophie: "I think it's really important for more women to come into the light rail industry because they add a lot of value in terms of innovation and sustainability. I read a book called Invisible Women a few years ago, and it's really eye-opening in terms of how women approach things differently.

''It mentioned where you've got heavy snow, men may feel that they need to clear the roads first in order to get to work, whereas women might focus on clearing the pavements because they might be taking pushchairs and their children to school.

''It just throws a different dynamic to things, and I think that's really positive and why more women should come into light rail."

Lindsay Murphy – Technical Director, TXM Consult & UKTram Board Member

Lindsay has over 30 years of experience in transport engineering and has played a pivotal role in delivering major projects such as Nottingham Tram extensions and Manchester Metrolink asset management.

Q: In your opinion, what unique strengths do women bring to the UKTram board?

Lindsay: "I think we all see that having diverse representation makes our approach more rounded and credible. It also gives us a different approach to problem-solving. Looking at issues from different angles makes us more relevant and agile, giving us greater opportunities for strategic thinking. I'm loving working with the team and it just shows that representation need not stop at one."

Jo Bentley – Head of Customer Experience, Keolis Nottingham & UKTram Board Member

Jo's expertise in customer service has shaped networks from Nottingham to Doha, where she helped prepared the Metro for the 2022 World Cup. Currently leading as Head of Customer Experience at Keolis Nottingham, Jo brings a wealth of experience from her previous role as Customer Service Manager on the same network.

'Q: How has being part of a UKTram board with equal gender representation influenced your approach to decision-making?

Jo: "Being part of the UKTram board with an equal number of male and female professionals has really positively influenced my approach.

''It reinforces the value of diverse perspectives in shaping more balanced, inclusive, and effective strategies. A balanced board fosters a broader range of ideas, leadership styles, and problem-solving approaches, which leads to more thorough discussions and well-rounded decisions."

Nicola Small – VLR Programme Director, Coventry City Council & UKTram Board Member

Having worked in local government since 2003, Nicola has a track record of success in delivering sustainable transport projects. Nicola is currently Very Light Rail (VLR) Regional Programme Director at Transport for West Midlands and Coventry VLR Programme Director at Coventry City Council.

Q: What unique perspectives do women bring to the sector?

Nicola: "I, like many other women working in the sector, bring a new and fresh perspective. I'm not an engineer nor a technical expert like those that I work with, but I am passionate about transport and I'm a strategic thinker.

''I'm working in this space because I believe we need transformative transport to achieve the modal shift required to decarbonise transport."

Advice for Women in Transport

Lindsay Murphy shares: "Believe in your skills, believe in yourself, and don't be afraid to step forward. The sector is evolving, and there is a growing recognition of the value that diversity brings.

''Seek out mentors, male or female, build strong networks, and be confident in your own abilities. Support others. Women belong at every level of the transport industry, and by stepping forward, we can shape a more inclusive and innovative future for light rail."

Lorraine George – Business Manager, UKTram

Lorraine began her career in transport at 16 years old and has since worked across various sectors, including non-profit, local government, and parliament.

Q: How has your role given you insight into the benefits of gender diversity?

Lorraine: "Within UKTram, I am happy to see that we are all given the same opportunities, be that access to resources, promotions, or pay. For me personally, when I started as a single mom, the flexible work arrangement allowed me a positive work/life balance without fear of being judged or being denied progress for having to deal with family emergencies or attending my son's events.

''I am always supported by my manager and my other colleagues, we have a great work culture."

Q: What advice would you offer to other professionals about encouraging an inclusive work environment?

Lorraine: "Prioritising gender diversity within your workforce can lead to many benefits, including widening your potential talent pool, providing more varied perspectives, generating greater innovation, and enhancing team collaboration—all things that will benefit your organisation."

Highlights from the 2024 UKTram Summit

At our 2024 Light Rail Summit in Birmingham, we were proud to host a range of female professionals from across the sector. We welcomed speakers including Louise Barry (KeolisAmey Metrolink), Sarah Potts (TravelSafe Prevention & Engagement Advisor), Sarah Booth (Baines Simmons), Amber Hart (SSG Insight), and Vicki Matthews (Centre of Excellence), who shared valuable insights on customer growth, safety, sustainability, and innovation in light rail.

Another key highlight was Mark Freed’s session on male allyship, where he underscored the importance of men actively contributing to gender diversity in the workplace. Drawing on years of research, Mark challenged traditional diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) approaches, urging men to see themselves as integral to the conversation. His session sparked important discussions on how allyship can break down barriers and create a more inclusive culture in transport.

Supporting Women in Transport

Initiatives like Women in Rail and Women in Transport play a crucial role in promoting gender diversity in the industry.

These organisations provide networking opportunities, mentorship, and advocacy to help women thrive in transport careers. UKTram is proud to be a member of Women in Transport, reinforcing our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion across the sector. Women in Transport puts it into perspective: ''Women and girls make up 51 per cent of the UK population. The female employment rate is 72.3 per cent yet women remain underrepresented in the transport sector accounting for only 26 per cent of workers.

Everyone is welcome to join Women in Transport. We believe that by working together, we can promote a diverse and strong transport workforce that supports UK growth.''

The journey of opportunity

While the light rail sector has made significant strides, there is still work to do. We will continue supporting and advocating for diversity, inclusivity and opportunities for women to carve out a future where transport is an attractive and accessible career choice for all.

Happy International Women's Day from all of us at UKTram.