Celebrating International Women in Engineering Day with Ann Marie Brindle

Since joining the business in 2001, Ann Marie has played a significant role in the growth and transformation of Trakway. As we spoke with her, we were curious to hear her thoughts on industry changes over the decades and the progress of women within Trakway throughout her career.

Now in a leadership position, we delved into how she enhances engineering as a woman in Trakway and how she supports the growth and development of other women within the business.

Early days and career evolution

Ann Marie began her career at Sunbelt Rentals, then known as Eve Trakway, in the accounting department as an Accounts Assistant. Her role involved financial tasks such as month-end procedures and eventually led to her becoming a qualified accountant.

Recognising the need for a more commercially focused approach, Ann Marie then transitioned to a Commercial Accountant role. This shift allowed her to delve into pricing strategies and job profitability analyses, working closely with the sales team to understand the financial dynamics of their contracts.

In the past four years, Ann Marie was promoted to Commercial Director, a role which she describes as exceptionally hands on and "blended," encompassing elements of her previous finance work, operational oversight, and direct involvement with various depots and stock management. The unique variety of her role requires her to remain deeply involved in day-to-day operations, from addressing customer issues to overseeing stock forecasting and liaising on legal contracts.

A shift in perspective over time

As Ann Marie’s own career within Trakway evolved, she noticed the industry around her changing too.

“There are a lot more women within Trakway now, even working in the yard. This shift is significant compared to 20 years ago. Seeing women in various roles, working alongside men, has normalised their presence and definitely worked to reduce perceived barriers.”

However, Ann Marie noted that there are still far more men carrying out more manual roles within Trakway.

“We promote from within a lot, which is great. But because the job is quite manual, women aren't always necessarily coming through that way – and external influences are key to balancing this," Ann Marie added.

Ann Marie also acknowledged that after so many years in the industry, she has become somewhat accustomed to its dynamics.

"Maybe I don't recognise certain challenges or gender barriers as much anymore because I've been here for so long. But for younger women entering the field, they have said that despite significant change over the years, there can still be obstacles and challenges working in such a male dominated environment."

The importance of a close team

With four depots across the UK, the team at Trakway are tight knit, taking a collaborative approach where everyone gets involved in the nitty-gritty of the business.

This structure not only ensures that all members are well-versed in the business's operations and challenges, but also creates a stronger sense of community and works to further break down gender barriers. Ann Marie commented on how the close-knit nature of the team has even included husband and wife working alongside each other as an installation team!

As we spoke, Ann Marie was keen to highlight the benefits of internal promotion for women in Trakway, which she has experienced herself throughout her career. It is important that we continue to recognise and address challenges that women face, whilst also embracing the unique contributions that women engineers bring to the industry, to ensure that the path to success is accessible to all and that women continue to thrive in engineering roles.

Ann Marie also commented on how having a diverse workforce brings benefits to our customer base:

“A diverse workforce means we are better placed to serve a diverse customer base, empathising with their needs and values.”

For Ann Marie, working in Trakway, with its variety, challenges, and excitement, holds a special place in her heart:

“I can't really see myself leaving the Trakway industry. It's such a close, interconnected field where everyone knows each other. The variety in our work and the different sectors we engage with are incredibly fulfilling. Every day is unique and exciting, keeping me engaged and on my toes."

A diverse portfolio: From Glastonbury to infrastructure projects

Trakway's work is certainly varied, ranging from high-profile events like Glastonbury and the recent Coronation to crucial infrastructure projects such as rail and construction works. Each project comes with its own set of unique challenges and requirements, ensuring that Ann Marie's role is never repetitive. This diversity not only keeps the job exciting, but also emphasises the critical role that women in Trakway and women in Engineering play in both the events and infrastructure sectors.

Ann Marie was quick to mention a standout example of one woman engineer within the business who has gone from strength to strength: Emma Farr, Trakway’s Senior Contract Engineer.

"Emma's path is inspiring. Starting as an Admin Assistant, she moved up through internal training progressing to National Account Manager, Contract Engineer, and now Senior Contract Engineer. She has done extremely well, and all alongside raising a young family."

Ann Marie commented that since becoming a mum, Emma's role has had to adapt slightly, so she now spends less time on the road or on-site and has benefited from Trakway’s flexible working policy, introduced post-Covid, which allows office-based employees a specific number of days that they can work from home, including ‘emergency days’ to help manage personal tasks.

Ann Marie reflected that as a woman in a leadership role, it is crucial that she gets that balance right for her team and is able to offer support and flexibility to allow them to carry out their jobs to the best of their ability.