Having a diverse group allows for diversity of thinking, and a diverse team will draw inspiration from a wider range of experiences

What motivated you to pursue a career in Engineering?

I like to build things, and I have always had a desire to be on the cutting edge. Engineering is one of the few places where you can fiddle around with a piece of kit worth millions of pounds.

How would you describe your time and experiences at University in relation to any challenges or opportunities related to equality, diversity or inclusivity?

University was excellent. The University of Sheffield Students' Union was phenomenal, but the diversity approach is not quite unique to Sheffield. At university, you meet people from many different walks of life, countries, backgrounds etc., often for the first time, and the union was really good at putting on activities which we could all benefit from.

The union was also the first place where I was properly exposed to the language of diversity and inclusions, and where I saw various movements, ran for council, and was actually able to put forward a motion to the council to increase provision of food on the union premises for a more diverse group (Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free, Kosher, Halal etc.)

How has your experience in your workplace been so far, in relation to equality, diversity and inclusion?

In industry there is a big focus in workplaces to increase diversity and inclusion and Bentley Motors has a target of increasing the percentage of diversity in management as well.

Are there any experiences you have had in previous workplaces, related to equality, diversity and inclusion, that you would like to expand on?

I have found the networks to be an extremely useful place to work with other people from other departments, and my work with the networks has meant that when a new job came up on the board, I already knew some people in that department, which helped me in the application further.

I've also found with diversity and inclusion, that often people think they either cannot speak up, or on the other side, that they have to be combative. I have found that often, if there is a lack of inclusion of certain groups, it's due to a blind spot rather than malicious or discriminatory intent. As soon as the blind spot is highlighted (ideally either direct to the stakeholder, or in a safe space forum or through appropriate channels), the lack of inclusivity can be rectified quite quickly.

Do you know of any initiatives/activities/practices that your employer has in place to promote equality, diversity and/or inclusivity?

We have a full time Head of Diversity and Inclusion and we participate in various national and international campaigns as a group.

Do you think diversity in Engineering is important?

Engineering is fundamentally about solving problems. What problems we solve, where we get the inspiration for solutions, and who our solutions help is impacted by diversity. A diverse team will identify a diverse range of problems, whereas a team without diversity might only focus on very specific problems faced by people from/in one area of the world, they might also cater solutions to those specific people, and hence the rest of humanity will not benefit from the solution. Having a diverse group also allows for diversity of thinking, and a diverse team will draw inspiration from a wider range of experiences.