Welcome!

Dear Readers,

As some of you may know, this week is Chartered Week, a time to celebrate the power of Chartered practice and the professionals who uphold the highest standards of competence, conduct, and leadership. As a Chartered Engineer, I know first-hand the value that professional registration brings—not just for individuals but for the industry as a whole.

Chartered status represents more than just a title; it’s a commitment to continuous learning, ethical responsibility, and excellence in our professions. It strengthens public confidence, ensures that best practices evolve, and creates a network of trusted professionals across industries. This year’s theme, Celebrating Trusted Professionals, highlights the dedication of those working to uphold high standards and inspire the next generation.

If you’re thinking about becoming Chartered, this is a great time to explore your options. Whether in engineering or another profession, taking that step can open doors, enhance credibility, and contribute to a stronger, more responsible industry.

Have an awesome day,
Mark

First Cohort Finished!

Yesterday marked a major milestone—the final session of the first SAFE Leader training cohort with Rolls-Royce SMR. Delivering this programme has been an incredible experience, bringing to life the ideas from my book and seeing first-hand how they resonate with engineers in real-world settings. The feedback has been fantastic, with participants sharing how much they learned and how they plan to build more inclusive teams using the framework.

While this cohort has completed the course, our journey isn’t over. In a few weeks, I’ll be reconnecting with participants for a 30-minute follow-up session, where we’ll discuss how they are implementing the SAFE Leader framework in their work. It’s one thing to learn new ideas—it’s another to put them into action, and I’m excited to see their progress.

This is just the beginning. More cohorts with different organisations are lined up, and last week we announced the SAFE Leader Open Course—designed for individuals or SMEs looking for an accessible way to invest in leadership training. This course allows smaller teams or individuals to participate without needing a full in-house programme. The first cohort starts in May, and I look forward to seeing it grow.

Find out more and register here.

Survey Still Open

Our Masculinity in Engineering Research survey closes soon, making this an opportunity to contribute your experiences and insights on workplace culture, male identity, and mental health in engineering and technology.

Previous research in 2019 and 2022 revealed alarming trends, with the percentage of respondents who had considered self-harm or suicide rising from 1 in 5 to 1 in 4 within just three years. Suicide remains the leading cause of death for men under 50 in the UK, and male construction workers are 3.7 times more likely to take their own lives than the national average. These statistics underscore the urgent need for open conversations about mental health and industry culture.

With over 89 percent of the UK engineering and technology workforce being male, we must ask tough questions: Does stigma prevent people from seeking help? Does "macho" culture make it harder to be vulnerable? What role can leaders play in fostering a more open and supportive profession?

This research is about understanding these barriers and working towards change. If you have not taken part yet, now is the time.

From Spice Girl Dreams to Engineering Leadership

This week, I sit down with Kirstie Langan, Global Business Development Director at PDI, to explore her fascinating career journey in the energy sector. Kirstie shares how a work experience placement at BP sparked her passion for the industry, leading her to offshore roles and eventually senior leadership. Her story highlights the importance of mentorship, the evolution of the energy sector, and the exciting developments in decommissioning.

A key theme in our discussion is empowering teams and overcoming self-limiting beliefs. Kirstie reflects on the barriers she’s faced in her career and how she’s worked to create more meaningful career pathways for others in the industry. She also offers insights into the future of energy, particularly how businesses can adapt to changing landscapes and new opportunities.

This episode is packed with practical advice and leadership insights, making it a must-listen for anyone in engineering, leadership, or career development.

Watch on YouTube here.
Listen on PodBean here.

Let’s connect

Please reach out and connect with me on LinkedIn if we are not already connected.

I love helping organisations where the angle I take with the work I do might help in someway have you make traction in your culture.

Feel free to get in touch here.

Stay SAFE!