Recruitment
“India joined Network Rail in September 2020 as the East Midlands Route Head of HR. Since joining, India has made it her personal challenge to make a significant change to the number of women working in rail, improving the internal culture and attitudes towards women working in historically male dominated roles, showcasing career opportunities internally and externally and moving the dial on how we create and enable progression for women across the route.
In the 2 years India has been with Network Rail she has enabled and delivered the following initiatives:
• Developed a tailored development programme for frontline leaders on East Midlands route – LEAD (Lead, Engage, Achieve, Develop) – this programme is designed to equip the route leaders with skills needed to really lead people. India is encouraging aspiring female leaders from across the route to apply and take part
• India works as a part of the team in East Midlands who are leading the route Women in Rail initiatives. India’s part in this is her commitment to getting all women on the route a robust PDP, giving them insight into all the career paths we have and encouraging mentor and buddy relationship to grow confidence and networking across our female employees
• She has personally shown her commitment to developing women in rail through the two mentoring relationships she has. One is also linked to Network Rail’s commitment to improving career opportunities for black employees and India was a mentor for the pilot programme which launched in 2021, and saw great successes
• India has also developed a STEM and external engagement strategy to improve the visibility of roles on the railway to young people, with a focus on women. As a result of this work the route now has a team of 27 volunteers who are regularity attending STEM and external partner events to showcase Network Rail. This includes links to armed forces and military spouse support organisations and a number of partnerships with learning providers across the route
• She is also an advocate and vocal challenger to the current facilities seen across Network Rail. Regularly challenging executive directors on the funding and plans for improving female and other facilities which made available to our employees to ensure we are creating an environment fit for people from all walks of life
India has also undertaken full PTS (personal trackside safety) competency training which allows her to safety be on or near the track with our front-line teams. She is the only person with the support functions to have taken this step and it shows a dedication to breaking the stigma of “back office” roles, how women can undertake and be successful in technical training and enables her to really get to know our local cultures.“
“India is a great manager, really clear in her messages and gives great clarity. Also, for achieving for WIR and CIPD which demonstrates working hard and smarter for NR people“
“Fantastic night thank you all involved”
Latest Twitter Updates
Follow us @RailStaffAwards