WOMEN’S ENGINEERING SOCIETY VOL 19 • NO 16 - AUTUMN 2017 www.wes.org.uk The Woman Engineer

© Katie Dobson-Hall on behalf of the Telegraph A GLOBAL celebration International Women in Engineering Day 2017

This year, the hugely successful National We can confidently say that INWED offers Women in Engineering Day was extended an excellent focus for organisations and to include our colleagues from overseas individuals to raise the profile of engineering making 2017 the first International Women in careers and promote the profession as one Engineering Day. with an exciting future offering excellent WES is delighted to report that the event opportunities for job satisfaction and rewards. ppe was as good as ever and indeed proved a Here’s to next year… roaring success! THE ALL NEW The idea behind INWED is to Top 50 Women in Engineering Under 35 WOMEN’SNew footwear RANGE launched encourage all groups (governmental, Designed by women, for women educational, corporate, professional V12Footwear.com/women The list of the Top 50 Women in Engineering Under 35 Page 3 engineering institutions, individuals (WE50) was published in the Daily Telegraph on 23rd June and other organisations) to organise 2017 to coincide with INWED. their own events in support of the day, The list, compiled by the newspaper in collaboration and link them together for maximum new faces with WES, features the UK’s top rising female stars of impact through the use of the INWED engineering chosen from more than 500 nominations. logo, corresponding website, and WES CEO Kirsten Bodley is thrilled with the outcome: At HQ and on the YMB supporting resources. We had almost 200 “We had a very high response to the campaign this year events registered with us from across the and were hugely impressed with the entries. This list of globe, with organisations from Australia, Page 6 inspirational younger women shows the breadth and depth Mauritius and even Zambia informing us of talent and innovation across all engineering sectors. of how they were going to mark the 23rd It is a great way of encouraging the next generation to June. engineering enter the engineering and allied sectors and for women to People were also hugely active on inspiration succeed there.” social media. Our Thunderclap reached The candidates on the WE50 list represent the broad over a million people and the official range of engineering roles available including those WES student conference hashtag #INWED17 was trending all from the traditional built environment, energy, aerospace day, reaching the number two spot in the Page 8 and transport sectors, but also including names from UK. You can see some of the top Twitter academia as well as authors and outstanding students and action on our Storify feed at storify.com apprentices. We must once again say a huge thank

VOL 19 • NO 13 - WINTER 2016

WOMEN’S ENGINEERING SOCIETY www.wes.org.uk The Woman Engineer Those making the WE50 list attended a celebratory

A broader platform WES Annual Report for change

A busy mother who manages a team of consultants delivering technical commissions When you are at a senior level in your career in the energy sector has won the Karen Burt you have a broader platform but we all know Award 2016. we need to push harder to make things change Given by WES to a newly chartered woman faster.” engineer, the prestigious award recognises Clare is used to being up to the task the candidate’s excellence and potential in having successfully delivered a number of status, and recognises the practice of engineering, highlights the technically challenging major projects in the you to our sponsors, without whom we importance of chartered energy sector including the development of contributions made by the candidate to the the world’s first commercial wave farms at the promotion of the engineering profession. European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney and This year the field was particularly the development of Hammerfest Storm tidal competitive (see back page) and Clare Lavelle technology. Clare has also helped over 2.5GW - an Energy Consulting Business Leader for of offshore wind projects in UK waters to Arup in Scotland and the North East - stood out successfully achieve planning consent. In her as a “very worthy winner”. current role she manages a team of consultants Having considered becoming a Chartered delivering technical commissions in the energy Engineer for several status years, but Clare work knew and familythe sector in offshore wind, wave, tidal, oil and gas value of chartered decommissioning, and carbon capture and agm often meant the application process was storage. delayed. More recently and with the support of “I work with amazingly talented and her company, Clare achieved what she says enthusiastic individuals on fantastic projects,” WES reports to members demonstrates “professionalism and integrity” she said. “In the past I have noticed a lack of Page 3 for the individual and the company they work senior role models but Arup is working really for. “What engineers do is incredibly important hard at looking to close the gender gap. This for society but I am not sure the general public industry is very satisfying to work in sond I don’t I am understands this. Chartered status sets us understand why more women aren’t working apart. Arup is a well-respected global brand in it. I have a four-year-old daughter a influential women and the organisation insists that employees pretty keen that things are markedly different become chartered to progress in the company. women’s engineering society for her as they were for me compared to my WES highlights top 50 I am so pleased for their support as thatI am she was afternoon tea and an evening awards dinner in London mum. We need to be more pro-active. immensely proud to be chartered.” Page 5 “I am delighted to receive the award and to 50 Clare told The Woman Engineer be able to support WES in its work to change pleased to go through the process whilst in a things.” more senior role as it has encouraged her to ensure her soft skills such as communication Karen Burt Award at the aviation heroine and commercialism match her technical ability. She is also looking forward Following the presentation of the Amy Johnson . She book review to representing WES in an IET in London on 8th November, successful IT entrepreneur Ambassador role. “I’ve always turned ardent philanthropist, Dame Stephanie Shirley DBE Page 7 thought it was important to FREng FBCS presented the Caroline Haslett Lecture promote the role of women in gave a captivating (and at times humorous) talk about her engineering and industry. This extraordinary life, her experiences as a woman in business 2016-2017 needs to be done at all levels, and her anthropologic work with her autism charity. Attendees wes students both internally in the companies were able to purchase signed copies of her book, the in which we work and externally proceeds of which were generously donated to WES. 1 Activities from aroundcountry the to the wider world. I am really excited about being given the Page 9 opportunity to work with WES.

the woman engineer - winter 2016 would be unable to co-ordinate the day. on 23rd June, pictured above with WES President Benita To find out more about INWED17 Annual Report 2016-2017 Mehra. www.wes.org.uk sponsors and any other aspect of the day To view the list visit: www.inwed.org.uk Included inside visit: www.inwed.org.uk 1

the woman engineer - autumn 2017 1 From the editor’s desk

Gender diversity and equality in the workplace are matters very close to the heart of WES, as referenced in the Society’s main objectives.

Consequently, although not entirely Lynn Postle, FICME surprising, it certainly was disappointing to see the recent press coverage of the to ‘shape the world’ with poorly fitting gender pay gap at the BBC – one of our safety wear but things are progressing most revered broadcasting companies. in that field as can be seen by the article Whilst frustrating it has at least opposite. Improving the wearability brought the subject to the foreground in of personal protective clothing is an the most public manner. important development for everyone’s On a more positive note WES Young comfort and well-being and WES is Members Board participant Caroline particularly pleased to be in contact with Carslaw, mechanical engineer, was suppliers in the industry to offer guidance recently interviewed by Eddie Mair on and keep members updated of the President’s the BBC Radio 4 PM Show in the wake progress. of the unveiling of a female Dr Who. The WES works with a number of Message topic being careers where women are companies to strive towards its main under-represented. Caroline explained objectives. You will note that this issue After another exhaustive and enjoyable how mechanical engineering is multi- includes the WES Annual Report where International Women in Engineering disciplined with lots of opportunities but we look back on the activities and Day, I feel in awe of the talent around that the issue was one of perception. achievements of the 2016 to 2017 year. me following the announcement of the “We need to target people, specifically We would like to thank everyone who WES 50 where our reach extended even has worked with us and supported us to girls, at a younger age,” she explained. further afield than before. However, as In terms of equality, the opportunities help meet our aims to support women engineers and those contemplating a yet we haven’t touched every continent, in the engineering profession are most so this is an aim of mine. The theme of definitely there for all to grasp – job career in engineering. Together we are ‘Men as Allies’ gained a lot of support satisfaction, an exciting and rewarding making a difference as you will read in career, the chance to travel and meet this issue. with our ability to include everyone as inspirational people, and the very real we maintain our sense of inclusivity. opportunity to shape the world. Next issue contribution deadline - The last period has been very exciting Sadly, many of us are still attempting 10th October 2017 as I was asked to join JLR on the launch of a code breaking app to recruit software engineers by partnering with the Gorillaz band, thus linking music, the World’s Top 50 Innovators from automotive sector and coding. I do think the Industries of the Future don’t miss this will be one of the ways we will be sourcing talent, and individuals will look 27th to 29th September – BT further afield than the tech sector for Auditorium, London WES Student Conference innovative and creative ground-breaking Early bird discount available 24th to 25th November – Aston roles. Contact: www.codex.com University, Birmingham Also, I have been involved with the IET Two-day inspirational conference and in looking at health related development Caroline Haslett Lecture networking opportunity and what consumers will want to ensure 5th October - London Contact: [email protected] in terms of wellbeing. Lastly, I joined the Contact: www.wes.org.uk Army at a workshop where they were looking at how to engage BAME (black, WES Annual General Meeting Check the WES website for Asian and minority ethnic), something 14th October – Manchester, venue to be more events that I do feel passionate about as we confirmed www.wes.org.uk consider diversity as a whole. Visit: www.wes.org.uk for updated Benita Mehra CEng FIET BSc MSc MBA FWES information

addressed to: The Woman Engineer is subscription price of £30.00 Engineer should be sent published by the Women’s per annum (inc postage). to the Editor at the same The Secretary, Women’s Engineering Society. It is Send subscription orders to address. Engineering Society distributed free of charge WES. Cheques should be Michael Faraday House The views expressed in this to members of the Society made payable to: Women’s journal are not necessarily The Women’s Engineering Six Hills Way and to selected professional Engineering Society. STEVENAGE SG1 2AY the views of the Society. Society is a charity women engineers, scientists wes1919 registered with the Charity Tel: 01438 765506 and women undergraduates. Overseas subscriptions: Commission No. 1008913 Email: [email protected] price by surface mail is and a company limited by www.wes.org.uk Produced by: Rivers Media, £40.00 per annum. Sterling @wes1919 guarantee registered in www.rivers-media.co.uk cheques or bank drafts England No. 162096. The Woman Engineer should be made payable Women’s All correspondence Editor: Lynn Postle FICME Subscriptions: the journal to Women’s Engineering Engineering Society regarding membership and Email: [email protected] is available to non-WES Society. All items for the work of WES should be members in the UK at a inclusion in The Woman ©The Woman Engineer 2017

2 the woman engineer - autumn 2017 On 12th July 2017, V12 Footwear, in association with WES, hosted a Knowledge Sharing Event to discuss Women’s PPE. The event was attended by representatives An apprentice at TfL shows the PPE she was provided – this is Unisex ‘small’ from Transport for London, Skanska, Rolls Royce and Petronius. A bold step forward in women’s PPE

omen’s PPE has come a long way in the and say ‘I want a pair of shoes’ – you specify if you want men’s or women’s shoes. Wlast few years. Companies like Transport Why should it be any different when it comes to safety footwear?” she asks. for London and BAM Nuttall have led well To educate on this issue, V12 Footwear invited Emma Cowley, a Lecturer in publicised campaigns about finally providing Podiatry at Plymouth University, and Mike Wilson, Senior Footwear Technologist at appropriate PPE for their female employees SATRA to explain the anatomical differences between men’s and women’s feet and – a move that isn’t about vanity, it addresses the dangers of wearing improper fitting footwear. comfort, employee value, practicality and Mike Wilson tells us: “The average woman’s foot is actually three sizes smaller safety. But one item that hasn’t previously than a man’s. But comparing the same size foot from each gender – women’s feet been addressed is women’s footwear. Why? are approximately 3mm narrower than men’s feet with a much narrower heel.” He went onto explain that even the smallest difference can make a very marked Because there is a lack of awareness out there effect on the perception and the quality of the shoe fit. This will lead to additional that women actually need different footwear to movement and friction of men’s shoes against a woman’s foot which can cause men. blisters, rubbing and discomfort to wearers. The first speaker at the event was Eleshia Former WES President Jan Peters (pictured above) took part in the event and Turnbull (pictured above with Paul Lewtas from is passionate about the topic. “It is important that we all work together to drive Buck and Hickman). As the Resource Manager for better PPE overall – it will be better for men, better for women and better for for London Underground, and member of the industry.” Women in Transport Working Group, she is The event coincided with the release of V12 Footwear’s new women’s range – responsible for sourcing effective PPE for her an initiative V12 has been working alongside Transport for London to develop for workforce. She explained: two years. Designed for and perfectly fitted to the female foot shape, V12 hopes “We were stuck in a vicious cycle where we to alleviate the problems that women are still experiencing with their work wear, were desperately trying to attract women into without trying to patronize them with a ‘pink it and shrink it solution.’ the industry, but we couldn’t provide them with Speaking about the initiative Ben Turner, Director at V12 Footwear said: “We’re the right PPE. So, they leave because they don’t proud to have developed this new range alongside TfL, SATRA and the only feel comfortable being out on site. And this remaining commercial British last-maker. Comments from women in the industry wasn’t just a fit issue. This was a safety issue just sum it up: It’s about time, after all – it isn’t just a man’s world out on site.” too.” After three years, Turnbull has finally For more on V12 Footwear visit www.V12footwear.com managed to implement properly fitting PPE clothing, but the ‘women’s specific boots’ they WES has a voucher for a free pair of safety boots from the newly had been provided turned out from feedback to simply be smaller sized men’s boots! Her staff launched V12 Footwear women’s range. To qualify V12 is looking are still frequently experiencing pain, fatigue for video clips regarding comments on safety issues. For a chance to and blisters, and are having to wear several take part and ‘walk away’ with a new pair of fit for purpose safety pairs of socks to keep their shoes on. boots contact Cath Heslop at head office, [email protected] “If you go into a shop, you don’t just go in

THE ALL NEW WOMEN’S RANGE Designed by women, for women V12Footwear.com/women the woman engineer - autumn 2017 3 Taking the highway

Returning to work after a break can be a daunting prospect, which many women know only too well. Highways England has introduced a ‘Returners Programme’ aimed at both women and men looking to build their careers again.

el Clarke (pictured), customer service director, operations & founder Mof Highways England’s Leading Women’s Network, fully supports the initiative: “The Returners Programme is such an important step in attracting and re-engaging talented people to work in Highways England. Having been on extended maternity leave three times during my career I know how difficult it can be making those first steps back into the workplace. It must be even more challenging for those taking many years off to devote to caring for their families, or recovering from health issues. Investing time in supporting people who can make a valuable contribution to our business is vital, if we want to optimise the talent pipeline and create a diverse and inclusive workforce.” More information is available at: http://wrpn.womenreturners.com/ highways-england-returners-programme/

Stephen Howse, Policy Co-ordinator for part of The Semta Men as Allies Group, ponders the dilemma of the lack of gender diversity in to adjust our messaging. Given the engineering continuing poor state of careers advice in schools and colleges, and given that “Here we go again”, you’re probably be too difficult. Also, it plays a major part the latest Industry Apprentice Council thinking, “another article on diversity in how women and men approach the report shows that girls are more likely in engineering written by a white, job application process, where research to be discouraged from undertaking professional male”. But here’s the thing: shows that adverts for roles in male- engineering apprenticeships than boys, given that the majority (88 per cent) of dominated sectors (such as engineering) we need to take this upon ourselves. the engineering profession is, at present, which are written in a stereotypically For example, a slightly higher made up of white males, and given that masculine way – using adjectives like proportion of female engineers than an even bigger majority (97 per cent) of ‘ambitious’, ‘competitive’ and so on – are male engineers were attracted to their engineering apprenticeships are started off-putting to women. roles by the prospect of interesting work by males, we aren’t going to rebalance If we want to get more girls and women (88 per cent female, 84 per cent male), our sector if we don’t get the boys and interested in engineering careers, then, but male engineers were much more men on board. we need to think about the messaging attracted by financial concerns (53 per The underlying cause of the persistent they are given – not just by our sector, cent of male engineers listed salary as a gender imbalance in engineering is, but by society as a whole. Being aware reason for getting into the sector, against unfortunately, cultural. We live in a of the cultural environment in which we just 24 per cent of females) – and this society where, from a young age, all live, and which influences how each pattern is repeated in how engineers of boys and girls are bombarded with of us thinks and behaves, is the first step each gender sell the sector to potential messaging which influences them later towards being able to compensate for recruits. on to view engineering differently. Boys cultural factors which lead to imbalances So even where engineers think they’re are encouraged to build (and take and disparities between how different doing the right thing by trying to appeal apart) things, to make a mess and to be groups are treated and how different to a more gender diverse pool of would- creative. Girls, on the other hand, are groups perceive issues. be engineers, if they get the messaging encouraged to nurture and to shy away wrong there’s always the risk that they’ll from making a mess. This happens Adjusting the messaging actually put girls and women off. All of us in schools, it happens at home and it Semta’s recent Engineering Skills for need to consider cultural factors in the happens in pretty much every toy aisle the Future report was never originally career choices people make, and all of us in the country’s department stores – supposed to be a gender-focused report, need to consider what might be attractive where the ‘girls’ products’ will also be but the interesting things flagged up by about the sector to the people we talk overwhelmingly pink. the research underpinning it were all to about engineering, not just what’s We also live in a society where women concerned with differences in how males attractive to us. are encouraged, again from an early and females within the engineering age, to undervalue their abilities and sector – in both engineering and non- Contact: Stephen Howse, their achievements. This feeds into the engineering roles – perceive it. Once Tel: 01740 627011, differing attitudes taken by boys and girls we understand how different groups email: [email protected] to STEM subjects – girls can shy away perceive the sector, we can then start web: www.semta.org.uk from them because they perceive them to

4 the woman engineer - autumn 2017 VOL 19 • NO 13 - WINTER 2016

WOMEN’S ENGINEERING SOCIETY www.wes.org.uk The Woman Engineer

A broader platform for change

A busy mother who manages a team of consultants delivering technical commissions When you are at a senior level in your career in the energy sector has won the Karen Burt you have a broader platform but we all know Award 2016. we need to push harder to make things change Given by WES to a newly chartered woman faster.” engineer, the prestigious award recognises Clare is used to being up to the task the candidate’s excellence and potential in having successfully delivered a number of status, and recognises the practice of engineering, highlights the technically challenging major projects in the importance of chartered energy sector including the development of contributions made by the candidate to the the world’s first commercial wave farms at the promotion of the engineering profession. European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney and This year the field was particularly the development of Hammerfest Storm tidal competitive (see back page) and Clare Lavelle technology. Clare has also helped over 2.5GW - an Energy Consulting Business Leader for of offshore wind projects in UK waters to Arup in Scotland and the North East - stood out successfully achieve planning consent. In her as a “very worthy winner”. current role she manages a team of consultants Having considered becoming a Chartered delivering technical commissions in the energy Engineer for several status years, but Clare work knew and familythe sector in offshore wind, wave, tidal, oil and gas value of chartered decommissioning, and carbon capture and agm often meant the application process was storage. delayed. More recently and with the support of “I work with amazingly talented and her company, Clare achieved what she says enthusiastic individuals on fantastic projects,” WES reports to members demonstrates “professionalism and integrity” she said. “In the past I have noticed a lack of Page 3 for the individual and the company they work senior role models but Arup is working really for. “What engineers do is incredibly important hard at looking to close the gender gap. This for society but I am not sure the general public industry is very satisfying to work in so I don’t understands this. Chartered status sets us understand why more women aren’t working apart. Arup is a well-respected global brand in it. I have a four-year-old daughter and I am influential women and the organisation insists that employees pretty keen that things are markedly different women’s engineering society become chartered to progress in the company. for her as they were for me compared to my WES highlights top 50 I am so pleased for their support as thatI am she was mum. We need to be more pro-active. Page 5 immensely proud to be chartered.” “I am delighted to receive the award and to 50 Clare told The Woman Engineer be able to support WES in its work to change pleased to go through the process whilst in a things.” more senior role as it has encouraged her to ensure her soft skills such as communication Karen Burt Award at the aviation heroine and commercialism match her technical ability. She is also looking forward Following the presentation of the Amy Johnson . She book review to representing WES in an IET in London on 8th November, successful IT entrepreneur Ambassador role. “I’ve always turned ardent philanthropist, Dame Stephanie Shirley DBE Page 7 thought it was important to FREng FBCS presented the Caroline Haslett Lecture promote the role of women in gave a captivating (and at times humorous) talk about her engineering and industry. This extraordinary life, her experiences as a woman in business needs to be done at all levels, and her anthropologic work with her autism charity. Attendees wes students both internally in the companies were able to purchase signed copies of her book, the in which we work and externally proceeds of which were generously donated to WES. 1 Activities from aroundcountry the to the wider world. I am really excited about being given the Page 9 opportunity to work with WES.

the woman engineer - winter 2016

Annual Report 2016-2017

www.wes.org.uk

1 President’s Report 2016-2017

2016 marked a year of the public concerning the study and practice of engineering among transformation with the women; and to relieve poverty amongst women who are or have been appointment of our first interim professional or technician engineers or technologists in allied sciences CEO and a team of four staff. or educated in science or technology or in the art of techniques of Along with the creation of the engineering and allied sciences or in other disciplines considered by Young Members Board, where the Council to be complementary, their dependents and (if they are twelve early career females are deceased) their former dependents. able to lead and guide WES in In terms of our work with women, we have continued to celebrate understanding how to engage, achievements through our awards (The Karen Burt Award for best encourage and support females newly qualified chartered engineer, WES Award at the Young Woman considering engineering or in Engineer Awards – organised by the IET, Gillian Skinner Award – in their first roles. Our National recognition of our volunteers, Isobel Harwich Medal – for sustained Women in Engineering Day contribution and the Amy Johnson Inspiration Award). We also attained an endorsement from host an annual well-attended annual conference in addition to the UNESCO. It was also our first aforementioned Student Conference. We should also remember our year in identifying the Top 50 success in reaching the final stages of the GEDC Airbus Diversity Award Women in Engineering in conjunction with the in 2016, where our then CEO – Dawn Bonfield attended the event in Daily Telegraph. We reached approximately 42,000 visitors and 35,000 Seoul for NWED. page views on 23rd June 2016, thereby increasing our media presence to over 150 national and local newspapers and online articles as well Other activities included speaking at the Amy Johnson Festival in Hull, as radio and TV coverage on the BBC and Sky. being a keynote speaker at the Inside Government Promoting Women in STEM and being a guest speaker at a conference on Women’s With WES’s increased visibility, we have been able to retain but also Leadership and Gender Equality in May 2016 in Bulgaria, which to attract both individual and corporate members, and I must not addressed ‘Trends in Science, Technology and Innovation’ and ‘What forget our ever-important associates and our students who also form Role for Women and Women Leaders’. an increasing number, and who often benefit from our annual Student Conference which was held in 2016 at Aston University. This event is I would like to thank the staff, trustees, council members, YMB one of our big successes as it grows from strength to strength. and volunteers who are making a mark and increasing our reach in influencing women to stay in the profession as well as join through the As always we need to remember our aims: to promote the education alliances with others. of women in engineering sciences and other skills, the better to fit women to the practice of engineering; to advance the education of Benita Mehra CEng, FIET BSc MSc MBA FWES

engineering among women; and Report of the Trustees • to relieve poverty amongst women The trustees who are also directors of the who are or have been professional or charity for the purposes of the Companies Act technician engineers or technologists in Highlights 2006, present their report with the financial allied sciences or educated in science or • WES reach continues to statements of the charity for the year ended technology or in the art of techniques of increase through individual 31st March 2017. The trustees have adopted engineering and allied sciences or in other membership and corporate the provisions of Accounting and Reporting disciplines considered by the Council to partnership by Charities: Statement of Recommended be complementary, their dependants • MentorSET goes from Practice applicable to charities preparing their and (if they are deceased) their former strength to strength and accounts in accordance with the Financial dependants. has now helped over 600 Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (the Its mission is to raise the participation of girls FRSSE) (effective 1st January 2015). members and women in engineering. To achieve this • WES Student Conference the charity has the following aims: attracted over 160 female Charitable objectives Aim 1: Women: Support women to achieve engineering students having their potential as engineers, applied scientists the opportunity of real career and aims and leaders and to reward excellence insights The Society is an charity. Aim 2: Education: Encourage and promote • WES Annual Conference The objects for which it is established are: the education, study and application of had over 120 attendees • to promote the education of women in engineering benefitting from professional engineering sciences and other skills, the Aim 3: Sustainability: Work with and personal development better to fit women to the practice of organisations and influencers to promote • NWED reached over one engineering; gender diversity and equality in the million on social media and • to advance the education of the public workplace, and sustain the historic legacy achieved UNESCO patronage concerning the study and practice of and future effectiveness of the Women’s Engineering Society.

2 The Young Members Board joined by former CEO and President Dawn Bonfield (far left) and current WES President Benita Mehra (far right)

Aim 1: Women Support women to achieve their potential as engineers, applied scientists and leaders and to reward excellence

ur work with our qualified and qualifying women solving, design, communication and engineers continues and we continue to support CV/interviewing to boost confidence, O develop skills and boost networking our members and other women engineers through our skills. Feedback was very positive. annual conferences, affiliated student groups and our • 165 people attended including annual awards. students, career engineers, partners, WES volunteers and staff. • 25 companies and organisations Memberships contributed, and a total of 118 Individual membership of WES continues to grow and we have seen an students from 23 universities were increase in our membership categories of: in attendance. 5% increase in Full Members 12% increase in Associate Members WES Prestige Lecture and Karen Burt Award 32% increase in Student Members 42% increase in Corporate Partner Members The WES Prestige Lecture, now named the Caroline Haslett Lecture, took place on 8th November 2016. The lecture was delivered by Dame Stephanie Shirley on the topic of ‘Women in tech: what challenges do we face today?’ The Karen Burt Award was presented to Clare Lavelle of Arup. The event was attended by 48 people, and followed by an opportunity for This unique one-to-one mentoring scheme, which was launched networking. originally in 2002, has helped over 600 members since then. MentorSET was relaunched in 2016 with the support of the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy – BEIS National Women in Engineering Day (formerly Department of Energy and Climate Change – DECC). Other National Women in Engineering Day (NWED), 23rd June annually, partners include Horizon Nuclear, Catapult Energy, Engineering celebrated its third anniversary in 2016 with greatly increased reach Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB), Warwick Manufacturing including the following achievements: Group (WMG) and the Nuclear Institute as partners. • UNESCO patronage endorsement worldwide. • An inaugural list of the Top 50 Women in Engineering (pictured Conferences and Events below) in partnership with the Daily Telegraph. WES Annual Conference 2016: Continuing Professional Development • Over 550 separate events held on the day [Over 200 events held by companies and organisations and over 350 school events held The WES Annual Conference 2016 took place on 22nd April 2016 with across the UK]. the theme of ‘Continuing Professional Development (CPD)’. • 1,500 downloads and over 400 Resource Packs sent out by post The conference was very well-received and feedback was extremely (thanks to the IET for supporting the postage). positive. It was attended by 123 delegates and sponsored by the IET, • Reach of over one million people on social media via a Thunderclap Airbus, Dialog Semiconductors, BAE Systems, Selex ES, Proctor and campaign on Twitter. Gamble, and Royal Academy of Engineering. • The official hashtag #nwed2016 trended on Twitter, second only to EU referendum related posts, and received 1,550,728 impressions . Student Conference 2016: Engineering Inspiration • Our official website www.nwed.org.uk received nearly 42,000 unique visitors and over 35,000 page views on the day. The 7th Annual WES Student Conference took place again at the University of Aston on 18th and 19th November 2016, with the theme ‘Engineering Inspiration’. Support was received from nine partner companies – Leonardo, BAE Systems, Proctor & Gamble as headline sponsors, plus BP, Finning UK, Mars Petcare UK, Instron, FM Global and Aston University. The conference gave women engineering students the opportunity over two days to meet informally with engineers at various stages of their careers to get insight into the options and opportunities in engineering. Professional Development workshops included problem

3 • National Women in Engineering Day was reported in over 150 Isabel Hardwich Medal national and local newspapers and online articles in the UK and The Isabel Hardwich Medal is awarded to a WES member who has internationally made an outstanding and sustained contribution to the Women’s • BBC and Sky News covered the day in their evening news slots, and Engineering Society over many years and gone above and beyond BBC Woman’s Hour also featured women in engineering, along with the call of duty. In 2016 Jackie Longworth received the award in several other radio shows. recognition of the work she did on Council and Dawn Fitt for her work Thanks to supporters including Cummins, Prospects College of managing WES Social Media. Advanced Technology, Yorkshire Water, the National Structural Integrity Research Centre (NSIRC), Sheffield Hallam University, Surrey University, Elsevier, the Royal Academy of Engineering, FM Global, WES Amy Johnson Inspiration the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and Building Award Engineering Services Association (BESA). This award was created in 2016 to award an individual who has made a truly remarkable WES & Space – 29th March 2017, Loughborough University achievement. Jane Priston Loughborough University’s WES Student Group held a very successful became the first recipient of careers fair with the theme of space, demonstrating the vast range of the award for her drive and careers available in the sector. It was supported by speakers from WES. determination to make Amy It was attended by 25 companies and 250 students, male and female. Johnson’s story better known including the erection of an Amy Johnson Bronze on Herne Bay. Awards, Bursaries and Grants Karen Burt Award Winner Awards Won by WES The Karen Burt Award for the best newly qualified WES was delighted to receive UNESCO patronage for NWED 2016, Chartered Engineer was won in 2016 by Clare Lavelle who works for Arup where she has In October 2016 WES Chief Executive Dawn Bonfield, in recognition successfully delivered many technically challenging of the success of NWED, was selected as a finalist for GEDC Airbus major projects in the energy sector. Diversity Award 2016.

WES Award Winner Involvement of members Bethan Murray was named as the WES Award Young Members’ Board winner at the Institution of Engineering and WES YMB was launched on 23rd June 2016, comprising of 12 early Technology’s Young Woman Engineer Awards career female engineers. The aims of the board are to make WES more in December 2016. Bethan is responsible for accessible to younger members, to reflect their concerns and priorities manufacturing systems for aircraft components in and provide input and guidance to the WES Council. two Rolls Royce plc facilities. The YMB enables younger WES members to have the opportunity for personal, professional and leadership development through board experience and involvement in projects and strategy setting. Gillian Skinner Award WES can make up to two awards annually in memory of former Regional Clusters Member Gillian Skinner to celebrate volunteer ‘behind the scenes’ support. In 2016 WES awarded both Jon Cable and Fiona Neads with Our Regional work continues to be supported through the volunteer the Gillian Skinner Award. efforts of our Cluster Co-ordinators supporting members locally.

Aim 2: Education Encourage and promote the education, study and application of engineering

Sparxx Bath, Loughborough, York, Leeds, Warwick, Welbeck, UCL WES took the difficult decision to discontinue the Sparxx project as and Glasgow. These groups there are so many STEM outreach organisations working in this space support the student members and the impact of Sparxx was difficult to measure. WES continues its and help these students work on inspiring girls to consider engineering as a career through to reach out to their local supporting volunteers to do outreach work and through NWED. communities to support the next generation of engineers. Magnificent Women WES links these groups enabling them to share ideas Outreach Activity and seek advice. WES took the decision to refocus on its core activities and to discontinue its Telephone, Online and Volunteer Support Magnificent Women outreach activity (see Sparxx above). WES office staff continue to provide support to individuals or links to During 2016 The Magnificent other organisations where appropriate. Enquiries come from young Women outreach activity people and their parents/carers, schools/universities seeking female continued to be delivered, speakers for their STEM events, members and engineers seeking supported by Northrop Grumman and the Royal Aeronautical careers advice or assistance, the media and companies wanting to Society reaching nearly 600 students in 12 schools in addition to improve their diversity. WES office staff will then provide assistance delivery at STEM events. where possible. Requests for WES volunteer support are disseminated widely providing opportunities for members to volunteer, supporting their WES Affiliated Student Groups peers and contribute to outreach and education on diversity in WES now has affiliated student groups at several universities including engineering.

4 Aim 3: Sustainability Work with organisations and influencers to promote gender diversity and equality in the workplace, and sustain the historic legacy and future effectiveness of the Women’s Engineering Society

Corporate Partners Europe held in Paris. The work that WES does in collaboration with our partners is becoming increasingly important to organisations which seek to A significant achievement this year for WES volunteers was achieving improve their diversity and inclusion through a genuine desire to UNESCO patronage for NWED16. increase the number of women they have working in and studying Dawn Bonfield a former WES CEO and President attended the 2nd engineering. Corporate Partners saw a further increase in numbers Annual European Conference organised by the US-based Society of during the year to 44 including: Women Engineers (SWE) in Madrid. • 21 Company Partners – Airbus, Altera, Arcadis, Arup, BEIS, Bureau Benita Mehra, WES President, was a guest speaker at a conference Veritas, Cundall, DP World, Edwards, GE Aviation Systems, Instron, on women’s leadership and gender equality in May 2016 in Bulgaria, Konica Minolta, Malvern, Mars Petcare, Matchtech, National Grid, which addressed ‘Trends in science, technology and innovation’ and RAF College Cranwell, Scottish Power, Solarcentury, Tarmac and ‘What role for women and women leaders’. Transport for London. • 11 Education Partners – Glasgow Caledonian University, Heriot- On 23rd June, a group from the INWES European Network joined Watt University, Imperial College London, Open University, QMUL, WES to celebrate National Women in Engineering Day and attend the Swansea University, UCL, University of Edinburgh, University of network’s third preparatory meeting on 24th June. WES Trustee Roseni Leicester, University of Surrey and the University of Wolverhampton. Dearden, also INWES Vice President, represented WES and INWES at the World Trade Organisation Public Forum 2016 (WTO PF 2016) Not for Profit Partners included BESA, EDT, Royal Academy of • working session in Geneva on building more inclusive trade through Engineering, Institute of Refrigeration. responsible best practice in engineering, science and technology. • SME member - FirstCo. Several WES representatives, including trustees, past presidents and WES held its first Partners’ meeting in February 2017 to share student members attended the INWES Regional Conference that planned strategy and seek input and support for its plans and future was hosted by the German Association of Women Engineers (dib) in programmes. Further meetings are planned for 2017. November 2016. WES led the Young Leadership Roundtable discussing essentials for leadership, and WES YMB chair spoke about YMB’s Digitisation of the WES Archive plans. The conference was held in conjunction with the INWES Board meeting and the launch of the INWES Europe regional network where In 2015 the archived copies of The Woman Engineer were digitised WES trustees were instrumental in its inception. into a fully searchable, fully page turning format to be made available through the IET archive to the public as a freely accessible resource. Volumes 1-18 (1919-2014) inclusive were uploaded to the IET website People during 2016. This year saw a growth in the number of staff working at WES, and the team now consists of four staff members including Kirsten Bodley, WES Centenary interim CEO. Associates of WES include a Journal Editor; Newsletter Editor and MentorSET Matching Manager. The WES2019 Committee of volunteers has been active in planning activities for the centenary. WES has started conversations with partners and potential collaborators. Activities will be themed around celebrating WES achievements, remembering the history and changing the future. Key AFUTURE review of WES strategic PLANS aims looks to activities planned include local and regional develop themes for WES in three roles as a celebrations, a Centenary trail around the supporter, collaborator and challenger: UK, and 100for100, a programme that will recognise 100 organisations that have made a 1. Supporter – Connecting women engineers, positive contribution towards gender diversity providing the link between WES members in engineering. and wider networks, providing technical and leadership development opportunities and sharing good practice with members and WES partners. 2. Collaborator – Strengthening engineering, working with partners to plug the leaks along Other Collaborations the pipeline from education to leadership, consulting with industry and companies and Partnerships and collaborations are key to the co-operating with government and policy makers. success of WES and during 2016-17 included 3. Challenger – Changing cultures, challenging partners to continue to further the diversity the following: Royal Academy of Engineering and inclusion agenda within their organisation and more widely across the sector. Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Subgroup; NCUB Talent 2030 National Engineering Through these roles, WES is seeking to increase its reach and impact for women engineers Competition for Girls Judging Panel; Stellar and technologist through its work with members, partners and collaborators. This includes: Group of senior women in STEM; All Party • We are seeking to maximise the impact of our growing profile by identifying further Parliamentary Group for Women and Work. partners and collaborators to further our aims and by increasing our networks and Further partnership working is planned with communications other complementary organisations including • Further work is in progress to establish a far-reaching offer for our partners and members Women Returners, Powerful Women and to support the journey from entry to leadership through both regional support networks FISITA. and programmes such as: • Extending MentorSET mentoring to further companies and organisations and also to universities and FE colleges for both students and staff; and International Activities • Increasing WES student conferences to support the development for a wider student It has been a busy year for WES in the global audience arena, as we worked to connect what WES was • To support this work and our growing number of events, we are working hard to put into doing nationally with global activities mainly place a robust staffing structure and to ensure that we have a Board of Trustees with the conducted through WES involvement in the required expertise and skills to support WES in achieving its strategy. International Network of Women Engineers and Scientist (INWES). This included attending WES2019 will create a platform for WES to continue to support women engineers to the second preparatory meeting for INWES succeed into the next 100 years.

5 TREASURER’S FINANCIAL REVIEW FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2017 Investment Policy Risk Management The funds of the Society in excess of those The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and needed to manage the day to day activities to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and are currently invested in a specialist charity error. savings account. Whilst this offers an acceptable level of security of the capital Identified Risk Risk Level Action invested, the return reflects current interest Loss of Medium/ * Move to the use of paid employees to deliver key contracts rates and is therefore very low (an annual volunteers Medium and strategic projects. average of 0.3%). * Ensure succession planning is in place to minimise the effect of volunteer losses. Reserves Policy * Ensure volunteers have support and training in their roles. * Ensure the work of the Society is distributed evenly amongst The Society finished the year with reserves volunteers. of £302,000 (2016 – £242,000) of which * Encourage volunteers to keep records of their activities £246,000 (2016 – £189,000 is unrestricted), and processes to ensure smooth handover of responsibility £18,000 (2016 – £20,000) is restricted and Volunteer activities and processes need to be documented and endowment funds amount to £33,000 (2016 sent to HQ to knowledge transfer to other volunteers and WES – £33,000). The WES Reference Manual staff. (available from WES office) reflects the requests of the original donors and goes into Breach of Data Medium/High * Ensure all staff and volunteers are aware of the importance greater detail as to how such monies may be Protection of data protection and IT security distributed. * Ensure that roles and responsibilities of officers are updated In the past, the Society has benefitted regularly and that these can be passed on efficiently. from general legacies and donations where * Ensure that a process is in place for monitoring the well- formal rules do not apply to the use of those being and workload of trustees and council members and that funds. These monies were ring-fenced for this is reviewed regularly. expenditures reflecting the wishes of the * Ensure IT and manual Data Protection guidelines are donors. Where possible the Society intends to compliant. maintain this practice for future legacies and Loss of financial Medium/High * Continue to develop multiple income streams to prevent over- donations. and sponsorship reliance on one source of income. The Council keeps income and expenditure support * Monitor financial performance to identify areas of concern. under close review. Our current reserves *Ensure value for money and excellent service provision to policy is to maintain a minimum level of current sponsors and partners – Survey corporate members to unrestricted reserves of £250,000 reflecting ensure that they are happy with membership services. the anticipated costs of meeting our on-going Loss of Premises High/High * Continue to nurture and develop the Society’s relationship obligations for one year in the absence of & Venue with the IET. further income. In particular, the Society has sponsorship * Ensure that our contract with the IET is renewed annually recently undertaken an expansion of its staff and that sufficient notice of nation is required. base to reduce its dependence on volunteers *Develop the Society’s infrastructure to allow for more and to allow it to better engage with its remote working. stakeholders. To sustain this growth, it will * Be aware of alternative premises in case required, be necessary to generate additional income potentially source alternative office premises should but during this period of expansion it is relationship with IET not continue. possible that income growth may lag behind. Furthermore, the Society is gearing up to office space and other facilities at a discounted rate. celebrate its centenary in 2019. Accordingly, The main gifts that cannot be quantified are the valuable volunteer hours contributed to the the trustees consider it prudent to maintain Society by our members. This especially applies to Council members, many of whom are highly reserves at £250,000. However, the policy skilled and valuable professionals. remains under review. The Society continues to be grateful to the many members who continue to make donations and to all those many individuals and organisations that provide time, services and support to help Restricted Funds WES to achieve its aims. The Society maintains a number of restricted funds which were received for the following Financial Results purposes: We have continued to generate income from our Corporate Partners which is recognised over Karen Burt Memorial Awards – prize for a the period to which it relates. Total income for the year was £244,000 (2016 – £192,000) with a newly qualified chartered engineer; award net surplus of £60,000 (2016 – £62,000). The continued improvement in results is fantastic news made out of fund interest and further for the Society and is the result of the hard work of so many individuals in delivering high quality donations. resources for our members and the wider engineering community. In particular our Student and Doris Gray (Scotland) Legacy – for the purpose Annual Conferences continue to be successful and our growing relationships with engineering of promoting and encouraging young women companies through our Company Membership programme help us both to raise the profile of in Scottish universities to study any branch of women engineers and bring in funds to support our wider work. engineering sciences; payments are made out of capital and interest. All these funds have Incoming Resources now been distributed and the fund is now closed. Donations and grant funding • During the year the Society engaged in a number of projects including Mentorset, Magnificent NEC Lady Finniston Fund – hardship grants for Women and Sparxx. We received grant funding of £18,000 (2016 – £27,000) to support these electronic engineering students starting first activities. degree or equivalent courses who have needs over or above the norm; awards made out of Charitable income the fund interest. • Membership of the Society continues to grow and individual member subscriptions have increased to £25,900 from £23,500. Our Company Memberships have contributed £90,500 (2016 – £68,800) with a further £40,300 Gifts in Kind (2016 – £13,100) contributed towards specific projects notably our MentorSET mentoring The Society is very fortunate and grateful to programme and National Women in Engineering Day. have the support of The IET which provides • The 2016 Student Conference and Annual Conference brought in combined income of £58,000

6 (2016 – £41,000) including sponsorship of £31,000 (2016 – £15,000). As in previous years the surplus on these events provides valuable funds for the Society to engage in more Registered Company number: activities to further its aims and objectives. 00162096 (England and Wales). Income from job advertising on the WES website amounted to £5,000 (2016 – £5,800). Registered Charity number: 1008913 Resources Expended Registered office: Total expenditure was £185,000 up from £130,000 in 2016. Michael Faraday House, Six Hills Way, Costs of raising funds Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2AY. • The direct costs of generating funds from our corporate partners and sponsors was £3,800 (2016 – £7,500). When a share of support costs is included this increases Trustees to £6,200 (2016 – £11,900). WES now has an increasingly broad base of corporate The Honorary officers of the Council are supporters and is now able to use its own resources to generate funds. directors of the company and also trustees of the Charitable activities charity. In addition, two representatives of the • Advice and support – We spent £53,200 on advice and support (2016 – £40,700). ordinary council members are also nominated by This included the costs of running our conferences £36,200 (2016 – £25,300) and the the council to serve as directors and trustees. The production of our journal The Woman Engineer and newsletter. Costs this year increased trustees below served throughout the financial to £17,000 (2016 – £15,300). After allocation of support costs we spent £88,400 (2016 – year unless otherwise noted. £62,500). WES Board of Directors / Trustees • Projects – Our project work has included our MentorSET mentoring programme and our flagship National Women in Engineering Day. We also carried out outreach work (Sparxx Benita Mehra, President, appointed 10th and Magnificent Women) although direct delivery of these activities has ceased, we have October 2015; Sarah Peers, Vice President expended £43,400 (2016 – £22,800) on direct costs. When a share of other support costs (Communications), appointed 10th October is included this increases to £72,200 (2016 – £35,900). 2015; Milada Williams, Vice President (HR), • Awards - We made awards of £3,800 (2016 – £9,600). When a share of other support appointed 2005/06; Estelle Barrois, Honorary costs is included this increases to £6,300 (2016 – £11,800). Secretary, appointed 2009; Alison Carey, Honorary Treasurer, appointed 10th October Governance 2015; Roseni Dearden, Council Nominated • The combined cost of Trustee and Council Member meetings and expenses was in line Trustee, appointed 5th February 2016; Georgia with last year at £5,200 (2016 – £3,400). The increase is attributable to payment of Kremmyda, appointed 28th November 2015 Trustee indemnity insurance and the establishment of the Young Members Board to encourage engagement of our younger members. Ordinary Council Members Support costs Lisa Marie Brown, appointed October 2015 • Staff costs increased significantly this year to £85,600 (2016 – £42,800) including those resigned January 2017; Vanessa Diaz, staff costs allocated to Projects. This year we had a paid CEO in place for the full year – appointed November 2014; Ioana Dikanska, Dawn Bonfield until October 2016 and then Kirsten Bodley on an interim basis. We have appointed October 2015; Jo Douglas, also increased the level of staff resource in the WES office including a full-time events / appointed October 2015; Shiva Dowlatshahi, Mentorset manager and increased resource to support our partners and volunteers. The appointed June 2015 resigned April 2017; staff help to secure the smooth running of the Society and help to ensure that we deliver Fiona Okonkwo, appointed February 2015; our mission. As the Society grows in size it is vital that we ensure its future stability by Adriana Vargas, appointed October 2015; Jay moving away from an operating model reliant on volunteers. Surti, appointed October 2016; Anne-Marie • Website costs have increased to £3,000 (2016 – £1,600) as work commenced to upgrade Toseland, appointed October 2016; Francesca the website. Donadoni, appointed October 2016; Kelly Shungu, appointed October 2016; Ifeyinwa Rita Kanu, appointed October 2016; Katherine STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Critchley, appointed October 2016 Governing Document Appointment Pending Ordinary Council Members The charity is a company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. Joined January 2017, due to be ratified at the The charity was founded in 1919 and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles, 2017 AGM: Sally Sudworth, Betty Bonnardel- amended in 1970, 1991, 2006 and 2014. In the event of the charitable company being Azzarelli, Ursula Heng, Kati Gastrow wound up, members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1. Patrons Recruitment and Appointment of New Trustees Professor Dame Ann Dowling OM DBE FRS FREng Professor Isabel Pollock-Hulf OBE CEng Hon DSc The Society is run by a Board of Trustees (Directors) who are the Honorary Officers and two FIMEchE FCGI further Directors appointed by the Council. Decision-making powers belong to the Board Meg Munn of Trustees (Directors), which meets quarterly and communicates by email/telephone Cyril Hilsum CBE FRS FREng HonFInstP conference as required between quarterly meetings. Sir Robert Malpas CBE FREng FRSA The Board of Trustees is advised and supported by a Council consisting of between eight and 30 members plus the honorary officers. In the year of this report the number WES Office Staff of Members of Council was up to 20. All Honorary Officers and Council Members are Kirsten Bodley, Chief Executive; Jacqui elected annually by a ballot of all members and its results are announced during the AGM. Hawkes, Partnerships Manager; Cath Heslop, Any person standing for the post of The President must be nominated from among the Office Manager; Benjamin Palmer, Events and members of Council. MentorSET Project Manager Journal Editor Induction and Training of New Trustees Lynn Postle (a) All new Trustees are issued with a copy of the WES Reference Manual, which includes job descriptions and responsibilities as well as reminding them that they are both Independent examiner directors of the company and trustees of the charity. Cooper Dawn Jerrom Limited, Chartered (b) Each year training is included in the first Trustee meeting following the AGM, to cover Accountants, Units SCF 1 & 2, Western the responsibilities of directors of the company and trustees of the charity. International Market, Hayes Road, Southall, Middlesex UB2 5XJ (c) New officers are subject to a period of skills transfer, e.g. the election for Hon Treasurer takes place normally in September but the accounting period is to the end of March, This report has been prepared in accordance with therefore, the resigning Hon Treasurer helps and advises (if necessary) the new one the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies through to the end of the accounting period. Act 2006 relating to small companies. (d) All new Council members are offered a mentor from the existing experienced members of Council. ©2017, Women’s Engineering Society

7 Statement of Financial Activities For the Year Ended 31st March 2017

Unrestricted Restricted Endowment 31-Mar-17 31-Mar-16 funds funds funds Total funds Total funds INCOME Donations and legacies 22,221 0 0 22,221 51,522 Charitable activities 219,985 0 0 219,985 139,379 Other trading activities 1,314 0 0 1,314 798 Investments 673 76 150 899 627 Total income 244,194 76 150 244,420 192,326 EXPENDITURE Raising funds 6,234 0 0 6,234 11,868 Charitable activities Advice and support 88,432 0 0 88,432 62,463 Projects and intiatives 72,196 0 0 72,196 35,862 Awards 3,488 2,809 0 6,297 11,787 Governance 11,449 0 0 11,449 8,184 181,799 2,809 0 184,608 130,164

NET INCOME / (EXPENDITURE) 62,395 (2,733) 150 59,812 62,162 Transfers 221 (221) Funds brought forward 188,778 20,171 33,312 242,261 180,099 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 251,394 17,217 33,462 302,073 242,261

Balance Sheet at 31st March 2017

Unrestricted Restricted Endowment 31-Mar-17 31-Mar-16 funds funds funds Total funds Total funds FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 4,015 0 0 4,015 983 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 36,477 0 0 36,477 36,234 Cash at bank and in hand 316,209 17,217 33,462 366,888 280,274 352,686 17,217 33,462 403,365 316,508 CREDITORS Creditors falling due within one year (21,430) 0 0 (21,430) (9,756) Accruals and deferred income (83,877) 0 0 (83,877) (65,474) (105,307) 0 0 (105,307) (75,230) NET CURRENT ASSETS 247,379 17,217 33,462 298,058 241,278 NET ASSETS 251,394 17,217 33,462 302,073 242,261 TOTAL FUNDS 251,394 17,217 33,462 302,073 242,261

8 Corporate News WES is delighted the following partners have chosen to renew with us again this year: Building and Engineering Services Association (BESA) renewing as a not for Profit Partner; FM Global renews as a Company Partner Plus; RAF College Cranwell renews as a Company Partner and finally UCL which renews as an Education Partner. For WES partnership enquiries, contact: [email protected]

2017 Women of the Future Awards ominations for the 2017 Women of the Future Awards, in association with Aviva, are due to close soon – the entry Ndeadline is 8th September 2017. This year’s Awards will be presented on 15th November at the London Hilton on Park Lane. More information about the nomination process and the categories open to nomination can be found at www.awards.womenofthefuture.co.uk Year of Engineering From idea to CAREER – Meet the Parents

rders for a Tomorrow’s Engineers careers booklet, which explores 2018 is the Year of Engineering, and as part of the year long celebrations former WES CEO and President Dawn Bonfield Otwelve areas of engineering, reached over 32,000 in the first MBE will be taking engineering careers out ‘on the road’ to fortnight after publication, says EngineeringUK. meet parents and students face to face at a series of ten Designed for pupils aged 14 and above, the free booklet – From idea events. She told The Woman Engineer: “Some will be about to career – offers an overview of several different types of engineering. science, but most will be non-science based, so that we It outlines which subjects are useful, what they might learn about, what can have real conversations with real students and parents people who work in these areas do and how much they can earn. and tell them all of the great things they need to know about Created in conjunction with the relevant professional engineering future engineering careers.” institutions, the booklet looks at where the jobs might be in ten years’ time Dawn is seeking assistance on several levels, to find for people with STEM skills. www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk out more check out: http://www.towardsvision.org/year-of- engineering-roadshow.html

CyberCenturion Competition 2017/2018 The digital world is evolving at a pace faster than any of us can keep up with, which makes it more important than ever for us to make the connection between school education and real-world employment. Cyber security is no different. In the last ten years the cyber threat has evolved beyond recognition and in another ten years it will be today’s students who will be at the forefront of protecting us from that threat. The CyberCenturion competition, led by WES Partner Northrop Grumman in partnership with Cyber Security Challenge UK, offers young people the chance to take part in a real-world simulation of cyber security threats. It opens the door for 12-18 year olds considering their future in IT and information systems, to engage with the industry. It aims to inspire young students to act on their ambitions and give them access to industry experts as well as the experience and training needed to help achieve their goals. Northrop Grumman is a global leader in cyber security technology and is committed to growing future cyber security talent in the UK. With CyberCenturion now in its fourth year, schools from around the UK are signing up to compete for a place in the final which will be held in London, in March 2018. There are ambitious goals to grow the competition and to increase the number of teams and particularly the number of girls taking part in the competition. The organisers are currently looking for teams of girls and boys to enter the competition for 2017-2018 academic year. Entry is free, and there is no limit to the number of teams that can enter per school. It can be played in or outside the school environment, and only requires a responsible adult to manage the team. All teams need is four to five players, and a good internet connection to compete. The closing date for entries is 6th October 2017. For more information visit: https://cybersecuritychallenge.org.uk/competitions/cybercenturion or email: [email protected] the woman engineer - autumn 2017 5 news......

WES2019 New Faces at WES WES is pleased WES is delighted to welcome two new members to the head to unveil the office team. centenary logo Ceryl Evans is now on board as the Centenary Project as part of the Manager to manage the projects and strands of WES2019, ongoing plans to celebrate one hundred years of including the Centenary Heritage Trail and 100for100 the Society in 2019. projects. Ceryl has a wealth of experience in managing complex projects in A number of initiatives are being developed in the heritage area and has most recently been Director of the Capability Brown Festival. This includes working with heritage organisations such as the Heritage the run up to our centenary and during the year Lottery Fund – all valuable experience for WES. itself to help us celebrate our past and continue Readers will be kept up to date on WES2019 by Ceryl with a regular column in to contribute a legacy for the future. It is an future issues of The Woman Engineer. exciting time for WES, as we continue to work Roz Hamilton has also joined the team as Operations with a large number of partners to represent your Manager. Her key responsibilities are: finance, HR, data needs. protection compliance and a company secretary role. More details of the WES2019 celebrations “Hopefully my business background is going to assist will be published in the next issue where we will me in my new WES role,” she told The Woman Engineer. feature a regular update from the new Centenary “I started my business career like many others not really Project Manager Ceryl Evans…watch this space. sure what l was going to do however that quickly changed when l secured my first job role with the Mars organisation on a rather extensive graduate programme, then moving www.wes.org.uk onto work with other organisations such as RAC Motoring Services and NatWest. Latterly with the Royal National Rose The new WES website went live to coincide with Society I worked my way up the ladder into some very senior and influential International Women in Engineering Day on 23rd job roles. l have always been fortunate enough to take advantage of the good June 2017. We urge you to visit the site and let training programmes around me and work with some superb male and female us have your feedback – www.wes.org.uk role models. My advice to anyone who cares to listen is as long as you are smart, keen to learn from all around you and work hard then the world is your oyster.”

A trio of new faces WES Young Members Board The Young Members Board is delighted to welcome three newly recruited members to fill vacancies on the board. Kirsty McDermott from National Grid, Deborah Harris from Rolls Royce, and Laura Davies from Altran UK joined the board for its meeting in early August. The YMB is excited about what the new members are going to work on over the coming months and the fresh input they will generate. The YMB would also like to thank Emma England, Emma Herbert and Sharon Ross for their contribution to WES during their time on the board. irsty McDermott aura Davies graduated with a First in Aeronautics in the summer of Kstarted out in her L2016, alongside dedicating her spare time to the Royal Electrical and career in 2006 with Mechanical Engineers Army Reserves. Whilst at university she completed an apprenticeship in an attachment on the Bloodhound SSC project and volunteered as a welding and fabrication. STEM ambassador. Immediately after graduation, Laura undertook a In 2012, she joined six-month contract to work within the systems development team on Sir National Grid on Ben Ainslie’s 35th Americas Cup hydrofoil catamaran before it was an Engineer Training shipped to Bermuda for the event. Once this work was completed, Programme whereby she began contracting as a consultant engineer to Rolls Royce Air and she completed her Defence. Laura still trains in the Army Reserves and has since attained Foundation Degree her Class 4 Vehicle Mechanic status. in Power Engineering. Kirsty is currently a project engineer, working on a number of eborah Harris graduated from the University of Birmingham with a innovation projects within gas transmission for DFirst Class (Hons) Degree in Mechanical and Materials Engineering National Grid. She is developing her career and joined Rolls-Royce plc as a Materials Engineering Graduate Trainee further, continuing with part time study in May 2016. undertaking an MSc in Welding Engineering. Her initial placement involved repair technology work with universities, Kirsty says: “I feel lucky to have had research centres and other companies to generate and develop repair the opportunity to study part time whilst techniques for aspects of engines. She then worked on a joint Rolls- building over ten years’ of experience in Royce/Royal Navy project to create a submarine simulator that could the manufacturing and energy industry, both be used to promote careers in the navy and in nuclear engineering, and these industries are still faced with the issues used as a tool for STEM outreach. She currently works in Rolls-Royce Control Systems of aging work forces and quite a large skills on the development of a number of new product lines. gap. I’m enjoying learning and working Deborah has been a STEM Ambassador since 2012 and served on several committees alongside these experienced engineers, as during her time at university aimed at supporting students and promoting careers in well as breaking down gender stereotypes engineering. along the way.”

6 the woman engineer - autumn 2017 New Members Charlie Allen, Victoria Barbour-Smith, Melanie Barker, Claire Bate, Sarah Beesley, Isabel Branco, Miranda Brawn, Clare Buckee, Charlotte Buckley, Bronwen Byng, Natalie Cathcart, Kim Cave-Ayland, Yvonne Chaplin, Laura Collins, Anna Coughlan, Ora Culmer, Dipa Das, Priyanka Dhopade, Frances Dixon, Kelsie Dugmore, Cleola Van Eijl, Carolina Escudero, Anna Faralli, Heather Farmer, Laura Ferguson, Helen Fowler, Riya George, Emma Gibson, Gosia Goralska, Layla Graham, Mehreen Gul, Stacey Gurr, Danielle Holmes, Jodie Howlett, Natasha Ibanez, Perpetual Idehen, Mary Keys, Vinita Khiroya, Michelle Kilbride, Omobolanle Kojeku, Maya Al-Hajj Lattouf, Giorgia Longobardi, Sylvia Lu, Janette FemEng Rwanda Marx, Niamh McCann, Kirsty McDermott, Clare McKernan, Anna Michael, Layla Mir Bruce, Amy Morris, Eleena Naveed, Valerie Nwanguma, Ayomide Opebiyi, WES Student Groups Hazel Owens, Jenifer Penn, Reshmy Updates from around the country. Prasasd, Benonia Quist, Marta Sabio Almeda, Chetna Sapru, Rhiannon Scott, As the student groups embark on a new year, they have plenty of ideas to attract Bushra Shakeel, Emily Smith, Therese support and have plenty to look back on from the past year. Smith, Shifa Somji, Sue Spaargaren, Women Engineers UCL Student Society has hosted many events ranging from Bianca Spoeala, Hannah Stanley, Hana- chocolate engineering to celebrating INWED and celebrating diversity in the industry. Marie Stephens, Safa Taha, Deepika In the coming year, they are welcoming a completely new committee ready to face the Valla, Natasha Vracas, Ellis Ward, Billie challenge. The intention is to host a range of careers events, socials and organise new Whyte, Alexandra Young, Franziska outreach programs in local schools. To launch this new start, they have designed a new Zaunig, Qianru Zhou, Thayla Zomer logo to attract people from all branches of engineering. New Student Groups For information on events or to take part, email: [email protected] For the upcoming year, the Warwick Engineering Society is planning a forum for after Women’s Engineering Society at the new year which aims to show students from minority groups the opportunities University of Hertfordshire available to them and the heights that they can reach within engineering. The intention Loreto Grammar School Women’s of the forum is also to empower female, ethnic minority, LGBT, disabled and all other Engineering Society minority students and inspire them with talks from professionals who would like to share their journey through the engineering industry. Exciting workshops are planned to expand the students’ skill sets and help them explore something new. WES Cluster Group Any input is greatly welcomed so if you are interested in getting involved with this project for example by giving a talk or being a part of the Q&A panel, contact: targets parents [email protected] he Surrey and Sussex WES Cluster Group This year, the FemEng (Glasgow University Female Engineering Society) committee Tis striving to promote the benefits of a has hosted numerous events for members to network, socialise and engage in career in engineering through social media. outreach activities. At the start of the academic year they launched a mentoring Cluster co-ordinator Kirsten Oliver told The scheme to connect younger students with older students, giving them support in their Woman Engineer: “As a parent of a teenage first years while they settle into a new and often overwhelming environment.This was daughter I feel strongly that sharing information very successful and will continue for the coming year. on engineering careers was important. When They have also held a discussion panel on ‘Ethics in Engineering’ supported by I found out there was nobody co-ordinating WES. Discussions looked at the ethics of controversial topics in military defence, our area I volunteered myself for the cluster environmental and biomedical engineering. This was a successful event, with a full co-ordinator role and also joined MentorSET as room of people asking questions from the ethics of planned obsolescence and its a mentor.” effects on the environment to the morality in employing robots as caregivers for the Kirsten has set up a Facebook site elderly. sharing local info aimed at parents who They continue to host two FutureYOU networking events per semester, where want to help encourage and support school successful female engineers give presentations on how they got to where they are children https://m.facebook.com/WESSuSu/ now. Previous events have attracted PhD students, graduates and young professionals There is also a LinkedIn group aimed at as guest speakers. those looking for professional support and The group has also conducted lots of outreach work, career options. https://www.linkedin.com/ delivering presentations and workshops and encouraging groups/8557737 and a Twitter account aimed young girls into engineering and STEM careers. In their at student members @WesSuSu second semester, they worked alongside Primary Engineer, “I have also reached out to local secondary to visit primary schools across Glasgow to help with schools and get involved in their careers projects submitted into a citywide engineering competition. activities as well as encouraging my colleagues FemEng has also again been actively involved in the at work to sign up as STEM ambassadors. annual project in Rwanda where they visit the country to “Our cluster only has around 60 members and help improve skills of the girls in the country in terms of email communications have suggested we are careers advice, CV clinics, workshops and empowering all very busy and not fans of being bombarded talks about their social responsibilities as African engineers by email.” Kirsten believes the social media and architects. The themes this year included: electrical channels are more appropriate. “It enables us engineering (and software), mining engineering, civil to share info and follow up what appeals to engineering, architecture, aeronautical engineering, individuals. I’m hoping other members will also mechanical engineering and biomedical engineering. The use the platforms to share their own information team provides updated information on the project through as well as volunteer to requests for support.” a blog, femengrwanda.wordpress.com the woman engineer - autumn 2017 7 Engineering Inspiration

Here are some comments from three delegates at the 2016 Student Conference who received bursaries to attend. For more information on bursaries contact: WES Student Conference 2017 [email protected] “The conference was really motivating and it was fantastic to 24th-25th November 2017 meet recent graduates who were now working in industry to find out more about life after university education. Aston University, Birmingham “The various speakers at the Conference had different levels ngineering Inspiration brings together over 150 students, academics and of experience in both academia and industry and were always Eearly-mid career engineers from supporting industry to explore pathways to on hand to answer any questions about their work and also technical leadership. This year marks the eighth annual residential conference about women in engineering in general. The dinner in the evening gave all of us delegates a great opportunity to discover for women engineering students and WES intends to build on past success to more about our peers and also network with many very enable students to: inspirational female engineers.” • Improve technical skills to reach their potential Toni Harding, Midshipman RNR, Thunderer • Gain insights into societal challenges Squadron, Defence Technical Undergraduate • Hone self-confidence and networking skills Scheme, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton • Develop career-life balance strategies • Meet and learn from role models “This was a great opportunity to network with engineering students from universities across Britain, interact with industry professionals The event takes the form of formal presentations, interactive workshop-style as well as take part in a choice of seminars! sessions and loads of networking opportunities, including drinks reception “Dr Alison Hodge’s welcome address particularly highlighted the and evening dinner. The conference is again generously supported and hosted need for discussion on why more women are not pursuing STEM by Aston University. subjects. The interactive workshop which followed provided an opportunity for students to provide trenchless technologies solutions For more information including the full programme, which will be issued in to real-life problems. Delivering the presentation on behalf of my September, visit www.wes.org.uk group honed my ability to process large amounts of information and communicate confidently to a large group of people. “I and many others left the conference feeling challenged Conference Fees and inspired for the role we will be playing in the near future as engineers.” Conference fees include overnight bed and breakfast accommodation in Moyo Adenmosun, Chemical Engineering Masters Graduate, a twin room, refreshments, drinks reception and banquet dinner on Friday University of Bath and lunch on Saturday. “I got the opportunity over two days to meet engineering students from Standard rate (including overnight accommodation)...... £275.00 different universities and talk informally with engineers at different stages Delegate rate (without accommodation)...... £200.00 of their profession about the options, opportunities, and experiences of engineering careers. Block booking rate (ten places or more)...... £250.00 “I really enjoyed attending the conference, it was jam packed with activities and I developed skills and boosted my networking skills through Registration CPD workshops, panel discussions and networking activities. I created Universities and institutions – reserve and purchase student places by contacts with students from different universities as well as industry contacting [email protected] professionals. I highly encourage other students to attend the conference and also to Students – contact your Head of Department or Tutor to enquire about apply for the bursary.” support to attend. You can also register directly by contacting Oishi Deb, Software and Electronics Engineering [email protected] Undergraduate Student, Leicester University

8 the woman engineer - autumn 2017