Welcome

This week, I hosted our Pride Month Ask Me Anything session, a space designed for open and honest conversation around identity, inclusion, leadership, and mental health. The discussions were thoughtful, engaging, and a reminder of the value in simply creating space to connect.

We also announced the shortlist for this year’s Engineering Talent Awards, spanning 14 categories that recognise individuals and organisations driving change across the sector.

To stay up to date with this year’s winners, finalist stories, and event updates, make sure you’re following the new Engineering Talent Awards LinkedIn page.

Thriving or Surviving? Disability in Engineering

The EqualEngineers Disability Network is hosting an in-person event in Manchester that you won’t want to miss.

🗓️ Tuesday 22 July
📍 Rolls-Royce SMR Headquarters, 11 York Street, Manchester
🕘 10am–4pm

They’ll explore lived experiences of disability through three incredible speakers and co-chairs:

• Simon Houghton on hearing loss

• Charlotte Wessels on navigating neurodivergence

• Sue Richards on cancer and chronic illness at work

We’re also joined by special guest Katy Deacon, who will share insight on engineering and accessibility.

The day will close with a hands-on workshop to co-develop practical resources for individuals and managers alike.

🎟️ £1 refundable deposit required | Light lunch included
📅 Deadline to register: Wednesday 16 July

Iain McKechnie and Engineering With Empathy

This week on The SAFE Leader Podcast, I sit down with Iain McKechnie to explore the human side of engineering, where safety, care and inclusion aren’t add-ons, but core design principles.

From mentorship and bold career pivots to embedding reliability into service-based models, Iain shares what happens when we lead with curiosity and purpose. We discuss the importance of designing systems for the people who use them and ensuring no one gets left behind in the process.

This is a wide-ranging, reflective conversation packed with practical insights for engineers, educators and future leaders alike.

Two Talks, One Common Thread

Last week, I had the privilege of speaking with two very different organisations, National Farmers Union (NFU) and ABB, on two equally powerful topics.

At NFU, I spoke to nearly a quarter of their workforce about Why Gendered Language Matters.
We crowdsourced live responses to the phrase “gendered language,” and the answers were eye-opening: from “man up” to “woke,” “sports language” to “the boys’ club.” These words and phrases shape our workplace culture, often unconsciously, and influence who feels like they belong.

Over at ABB, I delivered a global session on psychological safety, rooted in the SAFE Leader framework (Share, Act, Feel, Empower).
Through interactive polls and honest dialogue, we explored what it really means to create environments where people feel safe, heard, and empowered to lead as themselves.

Two different industries, but one consistent truth: how we speak, lead and listen shapes everything.

What Leaders Miss in a Crisis

In my latest article from the Safety on the Edge conference series, I reflect on a talk from Sam Abadir that unpacked how leaders respond under pressure, and what they miss when they’re locked into panic, control, or blame.

From aviation to boardrooms, the signals are there: slow communication, power hoarding, overcorrection. The challenge is knowing how to read the room and act with composure, not control.

I share reflections on what leaders can learn from crisis moments, and why humility, trust and presence matter more than polished crisis plans.

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!