More diverse role models needed in rail leadership

Rail needs to do more as an industry to share great examples of diverse role models for senior jobs, according to Tim Shoveller, Network Rail Managing Director, North West and Central Region.

Addressing RAIL’s National Rail Recovery Conference, he said: “Where are the role models for successful black women in the rail industry? Where is the managing director of a train company [from a diverse background]?

“We need to make sure that we are inclusive in attracting people and clearly we haven’t been sufficiently inclusive in the past.”

Shoveller said some of this was down to the industry tolerating conditions that are not fit for modern standards of working.

He was joined on a speaker panel by NR’s Director of Diversity and Inclusion Loraine Martins, session sponsor Intuitive Founder and Director Nina Lockwood, and National Skills Academy for Rail Chief Executive Neil Robertson, who chaired the session.

Martins said that only 18.56% of NR employees are women, 9.15% are from a Black, Asian or minority ethnic background, 5.3% from an LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender) background, and 3.46% who have declared a disability.

She acknowledged that in the past it has felt easier for companies to address gender imbalance than other protected characteristics, but said: “If we’re genuine about creating a much more diverse, inclusive and open rail sector, and we want to attract a range of people from different disciplines and sectors, it’s important we address the totality of the industry rather than one specific aspect.”

Lockwood pointed out that more diverse role models will bring more diversity to the industry: “We have to see different people going into leadership roles within the industry, so that people can see that it is possible to get those roles, irrespective of [their background].”