UK: Women in Rail has launched a business plan for 2025-27, setting out how it aims to work with the industry to encourage greater balance, representation and opportunity at all levels. Chair Marie Daly said ongoing rail reform offers ‘the chance to embed profound and lasting change’ across the sector.
The business plan is based on revolution rather the revolution, and has four strategic pillars:
- attract: bring more women into the rail industry by promoting careers and tackling barriers to entry;
- engage: build awareness and connection through national and regional activities that unite stakeholders and allies;
- support: foster an environment where women can thrive, supported by mentoring, training and inclusive policies;
- promote — celebrate and elevate female talent and leadership, creating role models and changing perceptions.
Specific objectives are to:
- identify the key challenges in attracting individuals to roles within the rail sector, and establish specific targets to address these;
- create a comprehensive awareness plan targeting members, sponsors and stakeholders;
- implement an annual communications plan;
- expand corporate membership;
- design an individual membership proposition to increasing membership by 50%.
Guidance will expain how individuals and organisations can get involved at the regional level through local events, mentoring and outreach and at the national level via strategic partnerships and campaigns.
‘As we accelerate the process of major structural reform across the industry, there has never been a better time to embed the principles Women in Rail stand for in a new model for UK rail’, said Daly. ‘The plan is ambitious in its design, setting out collaborative and impact-driven aims that ensure every activity contributes to a measurable difference across the industry. Women in rail have always, throughout their history, been at the forefront of bold and radical changes in the rail industry and this new plan is published in that same spirit.’
