Transport boss pledges to boost sector diversity
A LEADING transport infrastructure figure has joined the newly opened National College for High Speed Rail as chairwoman of its board.
Alison Munro CBE, the former CEO and then managing director of HS2, is hoping to improve diversity across the rail sector in her new role.
Ms Munro led the development of Britain’s second high speed rail line from its inception in January 2009 to August 2017.
She previously secured the deal on HS1 for the section from London to Ebbsfleet.
Ms Munro said: “This is an incredibly exciting appointment. Having spent most of my professional career developing British infrastructure I am tremendously excited about developing the skills and careers of the people who build the next generation of British infrastructure.”
In her new role as chairwoman, Ms Munro will take the lead on the college’s aim of ensuring that the UK has the skills to deliver high speed rail and capitalise on the job opportunities that high speed rail brings.
She will also look to improve diversity across a sector in which only a small minority of workers are currently either young, female, or from BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) backgrounds.
The National College for High Speed Rail has been designed as an employer-led institution to train Britain’s next generation of engineers and leaders in high speed rail and infrastructure.
The college has two campuses – one in Doncaster and one in Birmingham. Ms Munro will work alongside the college’s chief executive Clair Mowbray.
“We’re looking forward to making a significant difference to Britain’s railway sector, by boosting skills and preparing the future workforce for major infrastructure projects including HS2 and beyond,” she said.
Ms Mowbray believes having a female chair of the board can act as a role model for other women looking to get into the industry.
She said: “Her experience from the early days of establishing HS2 to the present, will be highly valuable in developing the college’s strategic direction for the years to come. With females accounting for only 9 per cent of Britain’s engineers and just 6 per cent of Britain’s rail workers, having a female chair is also highly appropriate. Alison is one of Britain’s most respected leaders for the development of transport infrastructure.
“She is an exceptional role model for the rail and infrastructure sectors and I’m sure that with her counsel and direction, the college will be on track to make a tangible and positive difference to this sector.”
The role of chairwoman is not remunerated but Ms Munro will be able to claim travel and expenses.
Applications are currently open for learners to begin courses and apprenticeships at the National College for High Speed Rail, with the next apprenticeship intake in May, , followed by a larger intake of Cert HE learners and further apprentices in September 2018.