Listen Now

Engineering Success interviews Simran Dhadda a Content Developer and Presenter. Simran has a unique hybrid skillset in marketing engineering. Graduating from Imperial College London with a masters degree in Mechanical Engineering she then worked at Airbus, the world’s largest aircraft manufacturer. Starting her career as a Structural Engineer she then moved into marketing. Simran has had an international career, seconded to New York, Beijing and lived in France experiencing first-hand how engineering is a truly global business. Simran managed corporate events at Airbus where she travelled to over 35 different countries, working with world class airlines conducting business with different cultures. She is extremely passionate about promoting engineering, showing what an exciting profession it can be and is now working full time on developing a TV series to do just that!

Engineering Success interviews Ellie Carter a Pilot and STEM Ambassador. Ellie has always wanted to be a pilot from a very young age. The physics and mathematics of flying always fascinated Ellie. When Ellie was eight she became fascinated with high altitude flight and an aircraft called the U-2. The science of flying at such altitudes was intriguing and she was fortunate enough to meet the aircraft and her crews which propelled her towards her dream. Ellie became the youngest female solo pilot when she took a day off school to solo gliders on her 14th birthday. She followed this up by soloing powered aircraft three days after her 16th birthday, due to storm Diana preventing her from flying on her birthday. Ellie collected her PPL on her 17th birthday. Since then Ellie has added various ratings including her tail wheel rating which allows her to fly a 1943 Piper L4 Grasshopper which served in D-Day! Ellie most memorable aviation moments to date include flying to Belgium, which won her an international aviatrix award, and having an engine failure after take-off resulting in a Mayday and a forced landing into some long grass. Ellie is currently studying her A levels along with an EMC in carbon neutral propulsion. Her ambition is a career in aviation and is hoping to study Aeronautics and Astronautics, which have been her ambition since she was 10 years old. Ellie is a speaker for many organisations such as Farnborough Airshow and Youth Education and Support as well as doing regular interviews and podcasts along with going into schools to encourage more girls to consider careers in STEM and aviation.

Engineering Success interviews Alexandra Knight the Founder and Director of STEMAZING Ltd and STEMAZINGKids CIC. Alex is a Fellow of The Institution of Mechanical Engineers and a Member of the Institute of Asset Management with over 15 years experience in Systems Engineering, Asset Management and Project Management. She is also a Trustee on the Board of the Women's Engineering Society (WES) and a Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor at Brunel University London. Alex is passionate about developing others and promoting the engineering profession. She is an active STEM Ambassador and a mentor for the Women in Brunel Engineering and Computing Scheme. She was announced one of the Top 100 WeAreTheCity Women for championing gender diversity in engineering 2020. Alex Strongly believes that through STEMAZING she will be able to extend her impact for inspiring people to go into STEM careers and supporting women to remain and progress in their STEM journeys. STEMAZING aims to inspire and increase diversity and inclusion in STEM.

Engineering Success interviews Georgia Thompson a Civil Engineer at BAM Nuttall and the Co-Founder of D-VERS-TY Georgia is passionate about personal leadership and an advocate for changing cultures in diversity, inclusion and innovation. Currently a Design Delivery Coordinator at BAM Nuttall, Georgia is responsible for the pre-construction delivery of railway bridge renewals and refurbishments in the South East on behalf of Network Rail as well as innovation lead for the Rail South team in Sevenoaks. Georgia is the Co-Founder of D-VERS-TY a social enterprise dedicated to challenging the habit of identifying differences before recognising attributes and talents in Engineering and Technology fields. D-VERS-TY are currently running their mentorship scheme between students at the University of West England and graduates at Rolls Royce, aimed to develop inclusive leaders. Georgia is the communications officer for the Railway Civil Engineering Association, promoting the benefits of railway civil engineering and an advisory board member for I Dare 2 inspire, a social enterprise designed to empower and raise the aspirations of under-represented young people.

Engineering Success interviews Sophie Harker a Senior Aerodynamicist for BAE Systems. Sophie is one of the youngest engineers to have achieved Chartered Engineer status at just 25 years old. She works at the forefront of aerospace technology, developing advanced designs and concepts for new generation fast jets and aircraft that operate in space as well as inside the atmosphere. Sophie has contributed directly to BAE Systems hypersonic capabilities including applying technologies from first hybrid air-breathing rocket engine system (SABRE) being developed by Reaction Ltd, which could revolutionise travel from the atmosphere into space. One day she hopes to go into space herself as an Astronaut. Sophie is an exceptionally talented engineer with her creative and innovative approach. Her work on hypersonic air vehicles includes building the necessary business cases and defining the product philosophy at each stage of development. She has also led a process transformation programme within the avionics department at BAE Systems, which involved engaging with 400 other engineers to streamline the avionics design process. In 2018 Sophie was awarded the Bee Beamont award which recognises newly qualified engineers who have made an outstanding contribution to the business in the early stages of their career. She also won the IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year Award and again in 2018 Sophie was awarded the Sir Henry Royce Medal which recognised her research in developing future technologies for the aviation industry. In 2019 Sophie won the RAEng Young Engineer of the Year and the RAES Young Person's Achievement award. Sophie is an active STEM Ambassador and features in the Royal Academy of Engineers flagship 'This Is Engineering' campaign promoting careers in engineering.

Engineering Success interviews Michelle Richardson a Senior Project Manager at Property Alliance Group. Having always known that she wanted to work in construction Michelle started out life wanting to be an Architect. Whilst studying for her BA(Hons) in Architecture she soon realised that she was much better placed for a career in Project Management having realised her organisational and communication skills were stronger than her creative design skills. Having completed her degree in Architecture she embarked on studying part-time for a Post Graduate Diploma in Project Management after securing her first role as an Assistant Project Manager with a consultancy firm in Leeds. Over the past 18 years Michelle has worked for a number of large international consultancies firms including Arcadis, Mace and Deloitte in the Project Management teams. In addition to this Michelle has worked as an Operations Director for a small construction company and is now a Senior Project Manager with a large property developer in Manchester and is responsible for over £150m of construction works in and around Manchester. Having worked for client, contractor and consultancy, Michelle has an excellent understanding of the design and construction process throughout the lifecycle of a project and an acute understanding of how to interpret the client's needs. Michelle's leadership style is to work together in partnership, in open and honest relationships with a focus on developing the team. Her aim is to ensure that she delivers all projects on time, on or below budget with zero health and safety accidents or incidents in order to build successful trusted client relationships.

Engineering Success interviews Mamta Singhal Mamta is an Engineer, a Public Speaker and a New Product Design Expert. She is a Chartered Engineer, a Council Member at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), on a UK Manufacturing Policy Panel and was Women of the Year ToyNews 2015 finalist and Women of the Future Ambassador 2015 and 2016 as well as an Associate Member of the Women's Engineering Society (WES). In 2007 she won the WES IET Young Women Engineer of the Year Award. She is also a Committee Member for Strathclyde University down South Alumni network. Mamta holds over 16 years' experience working for global firms such as Mattel, Hasbro, Dyson, Mars Chocolate and Polaroid. She is experienced in continuous improvement, engineering, project management and New Product Design in commercial, creative and technical environments. Holding a passion for sustainability, engineering, public speaking and inspiring others. Mamta is professionally media trained by MediaWomen Limited in 2015. Recently interviewed by The BBC, ITV, ITN Productions, Management Today, The Scotsman and The Telegraph. She has been a keynote speaker for Dyslexia Scotland and in March will be speaking at the Equate Scotland conference. She was a speaker and mentor at the Management Today's 'Inspiring Women in Business' conference 2016 and 2019 in Scotland, Birmingham and London. Mamta is also a keen blogger, presenter and columnist for national and international forums.

Engineering Success interviews Gemma Darroch the Head of New Projects at Ideal Modular Homes. Gemma has several years experience providing expert advice across the interior design and modular housing sector. As Head of New Projects at Ideal Modular Homes, Gemma has a proven track record of developing successful business relationships with existing and prospective clients. With her exceptional understanding of the growing housing market, Gemma helps clients achieve their aspirations in creating "beautiful homes in which people want to live". With a creative eye for precision, Gemma advocated 'simplicity in design' through sustainable construction methods without compromising on quality and deliverability. This is reflected within the design ethos of Ideal Modular Homes. Her commitment to achieving Net Zero Carbon initiatives set out by the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) and creating socially viable homes for all, is at the forefront of her sustainability mission.

Engineering Success interviews Jo Foster the Diversity & Inclusion Manager at The Institute of Engineering and Technology. Jo is an accomplished Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) specialist with more than 9 years experience in the profession. She currently works as the EDI Lead for the Institution of Engineering and Technology - one of the largest professional engineering societies in the world. Jo leads on all EDI activity for the institution and in 2018 she set the IET's first multi-year EDI Strategy. This strategy has full senior leadership support and approval from the IET's Board of Trustees. It has an internal and external focus and is an excellent example of embedding EDI practises across a complex organisational structure. She imparts expert knowledge across multiple diversity strands such as; gender, LGBTQ+, social mobility, BAME groups, disability, mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. She is Chair of the IET Diversity & Inclusion Committee, sits on the Royal Academy of Engineering Diversity & Inclusion Steering Group and is a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Diversity and Inclusion in STEM. From 2015 to date Jo has successfully project-managed the prominent and prestigious IET Young Woman Engineer (YWE) of the Year Awards, turning it into a multi-award-winning event and ceremony. She acts as an unconscious bias observer for the YWE Awards to ensure equal opportunity for all. Jo has been the driving force behind the IET's most successful social media diversity campaigns, two of which are multi-award-winning - to alter the perception around engineering and who the profession is for. 

Engineering Success interviews Josie Rothera the Course Director for MSc Civil Engineering at Leeds Beckett University. Josie is a Chartered Engineer, an Associate of the Association of Project Management, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and an Early Career Researcher. Josie has also recently been appointed as a Panel Member for the Institution of Apprenticeships and Technical Education. Josie has over 10 years experience of project site management on contracts over £10M, often the sole female representation on the delivery team. She is a active promoter of the Institution of Civil Engineers in the Yorkshire and Humberside region and is a board representative on several steering groups in both academia and industry. Josie is a Company Director of STEER Support and Mentoring CIC, which supports under-graduates in transitioning into Built Environment careers. Josie is a supporter for under-represented groups in civil engineering and the built environment industry and is a member of the Women's Engineering Society (WES) and Women in Science and Engineering (WISE)

Engineering Success interviews Chiara Armandi who is currently studying Aerospace Engineering at the University of Surrey. Chiara is the President of the first Society of Women in Space Exploration in Europe and loves everything to do with Space. Keen to be involved in the Space |Industry she wants to help make discoveries that will change our lives and advance our knowledge. Chiara believes there is much unknown and she wants to find out as much as possible during this perfect era. Having spent a great deal of time deciding her career path Chiara can only see her future working in the engineering industry and wants to share her passion to inspire others into engineering.

Engineering Success interviews Dr Sarah Peers the Founder Director of Peers & Peers Sarah's route into engineering is a little unusual: her background is mathematics, having several degrees, but has a PhD in mechanical engineering from University College London. Sarah calls herself "sort of engineer/mathematician/systems engineer". Her first jobs were in programming and analysis and then as a lecturer at University College London where she worked on the development of reliability and AI based maintenance planning of offshore structures. She is currently Deputy President of INWES, the International Network of Women Engineers and Scientists and she has been involved in activities to increase the number of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) since 1992. She is also a senior advisor and a Fellow of the Institute of Innovation & Knowledge Exchange, driving innovation skills in scientific and tech corporations, including defence and global companies, and a Director at The STEM Foundation supporting vocational STEM education and leading the STEM Assured accreditation scheme. Her expertise is in skills strategy and policy development for innovation, STEM education and the engineering and technology sectors. Most of her work is with leadership teams, supporting them to develop better ways of doing things. She is also involved in international projects as a designated EU expert in gender and STEM. Her other projects include condition monitoring data interpretation and curriculum development for new engineering programmes.

Engineering Success interviews Vicki Reynolds a Digital Manager at Multiplex Construction Vicki has worked closely with stakeholders of every level of seniority and experience to deliver BIM and Digital Construction across a number of major projects in the UK. In her current role as Digital Manager at Multiplex Construction she works on the pre-construction digital strategy and digital skills development across the organisation. She believes that, so long as you find the right learning method, BIM and Digital Construction can be accessible for everyone. A core member of Women in BIM, Vicki works hard to support, retain and provide opportunities for women in the digital construction environment and regularly presents at schools to promote STEM and Construction to girls in education. Vicki believes strongly that the industry must diversify in order to successfully digitalise, and works hard to encourage women of all ages and experience to consider construction as a viable and rewarding career option.

Engineering Success interviews Fred Mills the Co-Founder and Managing Director at The B1M. Having worked with a leading UK contractor, Fred co-founded The B1M in 2012 to upskill the construction industry on building information modelling (BIM) The award-winning "BIM For Beginners" series went on to gain several million video views and is now embedded in over 500 organisations worldwide. Building on the success of the platforms BIM content, Fred focused on sharing 'the best of construction' to improve the industry and ensure that it appealed to the best talent. Fred grew The B1M into the worlds largest and most subscribed-to video channel for construction with over 7 million viewers each month. It now employs a nine-strong team from its London HQ. Fred's videos have amassed tens of millions of views making him a global figure in video publishing and a role model to millions of people interested or already working in construction. Fred's mission is to fundamentally alter the perception of construction on planet Earth.

Engineering Success interview Mark Farmer the Founding Director and CEO of Cast. Cast is a Real Estate and Construction Consultancy business with a strong heritage within the UK property development and investment sector. Mark has 30 years experience in construction and real estate and is a recognised international commentator on a variety of industry and policy related issues. Mark is a member of the Mayor of London's Construction Skills Advisory Group, a Board Member for the Construction Scotland Innovation Centre, a Co-Chair of Construction Excellence, a Vice Chair of the ULI UK Residential Council, A Trustee of the MOBIE educational charity and is an Honorary Professor at The University of Salford's School of Built Environment. Mark authored the 'Farmer Review', an influential 2016 independent government review of the UK's construction labour model entitled 'Modernise or Die'. He is a member of the Construction Innovation Hub Industry Board and Chairs the MHCLG joint industry working group tasked with enabling greater use of Modern Methods of Construction in the residential sector.

Engineering Success interviews Patricia Moore the UK Managing Director and an Executive Board Member at Turner & Townsend. Patricia leads a team of over 2,000 experts with an annual turnover of c.£250m and drives the continued growth of the UK business across real estate, infrastructure and natural resources. Patricia started her career in Scotland in 1988 as a trainee Quantity Surveyor working on a marine civils project for the navy. She moved to London in 1994 providing cost management services to the Jubilee Line extension, followed by the Paddington Station refurbishment. She joined Turner & Townsend in 1999 and having supported clients across a diverse range of projects, in 2015 was appointed Managing Director of Turner & Townsend's UK infrastructure business. Patricia is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and has an MSc in Construction Law and Arbitration, she is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and has a Diploma in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors.

Engineering Success interviews Nick Russell a Director at Thomasons who leads their Guildford Office. Thomasons is an award-winning independent Civil & Structural Engineering Consultancy with 8 offices throughout the UK. Nick is qualified as both a chartered structural and civil engineer and has vast experience from a 36 year career. His significant projects span town centre developments, offices, educational establishments, urban regeneration, site remediation and complex alterations to existing buildings. Nick is in high demand as an expert witness both in the UK and overseas and received the Civil & Structural Engineering Expert Witness of the Year Award from Lawyer Monthly in 2016 for his outstanding work. Nick has had close ties with the Institution of Structural Engineers for many years and was President in 2014. He is also visiting Professor at the University of Surrey, a member of its Advisory Board and Chair of the Joint Board of Moderators, which accredits civil engineering degrees.

Engineering Success interviews Julie White the Managing Director of D-Drill a specialist diamond drilling and sawing company having completed a management buy-out from her father in 2008. Celebrating 50 years trading D-Drill has the UK's largest branch network in its sector with an unrivalled team of experts. Under Julie's leadership D-Drill has won numerous industry accolades including the coveted 'Diamond Award' from the International Association of Concrete Drillers & Sawers (IACDS) Julie is the only woman running a business in this specialist sector and is the first woman appointed to a professional body for the industry having joined the Board of Directors for 'The Drilling and Sawing Association' and is now the President of the World Association. Chairing 'Training and Skills' Julie has the honoured position to sit as Director on the Main Strategy BuildUK Board. In 2011 Julie was chosen as the Vitalise Businesswoman of the Year and has appeared on many programmes in radio and television including BBC Question Time, The One Show, BBC Breakfast and has reviews in tabloids including The Guardian, The Sunday Times, The Mail on Sunday and The Daily Telegraph.

Engineering Success interviews Kevin Lyons the Owner and Director of Lyons O'Neill. Kevin has many years experience in the design and delivery of a wide range of structures. His early career saw him working on the drawing board before training with Alan Baxter & Associates on historical buildings and then setting off to work on Cathay Pacific Headquarters in Hong Kong. He returned to London after 2 years abroad where he found his niche working at Teckniker on highly detailed and architecturally led structures. He set up Lyons O'Neill with his business partner Damian O'Neill after a 2 year spell working with Heatherwick Studios as their in-house engineer. Kevin's interest lies in finding appropriate and buildable design solutions which are well communicated and co-ordinated. Lyons O'Neill brings together engineers from a variety of backgrounds and the experience they bring reflects in the quality of the solutions they produce.

Engineering Success interviews Steve Wooler the Chief Executive of BWB Group. BWB Group are an engineering, environmental and project management consultancy with offices in 5 major UK cities. BWB Group has a long track record and award winning profile in the UK consultancy sector, and an embryonic presence in international markets. In 2017 BWB Group became part of CAF Group, a major global player in urban mobility solutions. Steve is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers with over 35 years' of varied engineering experience working on numerous high profile projects for major developer clients. He is a past Chairman of ACE's Midlands Region and an active participant in ACE activity generally. Steve is passionate about the engineering profession and the massive contribution that professional engineers play in planning, designing and delivering sustainable development. He believes it's imperative that the profession embraces collaborative working and digital technology to meet the seemingly inextricable worldwide demand for consultancy and engineering.