News

Today we celebrate International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), a global campaign led by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) that recognises the achievements of women in engineering and champions greater diversity across STEM careers.

Each year, INWED provides a powerful platform to highlight the impact women make across the industry and to inspire the next generation of engineers. It also plays a vital role in raising visibility when women continue remain significantly under‑represented - 2025 figures show that only 16.9% of engineers in the UK are women.

This year’s theme, #EngineeringIntelligence, celebrates the many forms of intelligence that drive engineering forward: from technical expertise and problem‑solving to creativity, emotional intelligence and collaborative thinking.

We are proud of the women across the business in all departments. Their skills and commitment play a vital role in keeping the M25 running safely and efficiently, and through our ongoing work in initiatives like Breaking Barriers, we continue to promote equality and strengthen support across the industry.

To mark the day, some of our colleagues have kindly shared what they love about the industry; from the variety and purpose in their work to the support, collaboration and opportunities to make a meaningful impact. Their reflections highlight why engineering, and the wider work that enables it, remains such a rewarding and essential field.

Elsie Twumasi-Mensah, Portfolio Manager Technology COFA Ancillaries.

“What I love most about engineering is that it turns ideas into something real. It combines creativity, innovation and practical problem-solving, and there is nothing more rewarding than seeing the projects you've helped shape making a difference in people's everyday lives. As a woman in engineering, I am especially proud to be part of a profession where we can challenge perceptions, bring diverse perspectives, and inspire the next generation of girls to see that they too can build the world around them.”

Sofia Athanassiou, Commercial and Asset Delivery Director.

“Engineering gives us the privilege of shaping the world around us: improving people’s everyday lives and creating a lasting impact for generations to come.”

Sophie Stewart, Asset & Technical Assurance Technician.

“I love working in the industry because every day feels purposeful - supporting colleagues, solving problems and helping keep the network moving.”

Kitty Whittock, Project Manager.

"I love the variety in this industry, no two days are ever the same. It’s busy and sometimes challenging, but that’s what keeps it interesting and rewarding."

Sofia Korompili, Portfolio Manager, Structures.

"Two engineering degrees and the last time I used a drawing board was at university. What I love about engineering isn’t just the technical side - it’s the way of thinking. It’s about breaking complex problems down, working through options and driving solutions through to something real. That mindset opens more doors than you might expect, and you don’t have to know which one you’ll walk through from the beginning."

Mariam Abdalla, Pavement Asset Engineer.

“Working on the busiest network in Europe is a constant reminder that engineering is about solving complex problems and keeping people safe. As a woman in the industry, I am proud to challenge stereotypes and show that engineering is a place where anyone can succeed.”

Venuha Gnanaguru, Environmental Apprentice.

“I love contributing to sustainability projects, from biodiversity work to reducing carbon on the network.”