ICE President’s Future Leader makes WES Top 50 Women in Engineering

A past ICE President’s Future Leader has been recognised in this year’s WES Top 50 Women in Engineering.

Rachel Hayden, one of Keith Howells' Future Leaders in 2022-2023, was named alongside five other ICE members.

The annual list was published today as part of International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), under the theme of ‘Together we engineer’.

Hayden, who was inspired to join the industry by STEM ambassadors, says everyone can help grow the number of women in the industry.

She said: “For me, if it wasn’t for some engineers running a pasta bridge competition when I was at school during my GCSEs, I might still not know what engineering is. Let alone be the civil engineer I am today.

“I find it incredibly rewarding volunteering as an ICE STEM Ambassador and introducing the next generation to the amazing world of civil engineering, just as those engineers did for me.”

Hayden encourages others to find the time to help inspire other women and girls – “whether it’s volunteering at your local school or Girlguiding group, or perhaps remotely by running an activity, mentoring or giving a presentation”.

ICE members in WES Top 50 Women in Engineering 2025

The ICE members who featured this year are (in alphabetical order):

• Anam Balbolia – principal engineer at WSP. (London)
• Fay Newham – associate at Ramboll. (Wales)
• Magdalena Sartin – group vice president of engineering, capital projects and operational excellence at Johnson Matthey. (South East England)
• Dr Meini Su – senior lecturer and head of research (Department of Civil Engineering and Management) at the University of Manchester. (North West)
• Rachel Hayden – senior engineer at WSP. (South West)
• Vanessa Quansah – head of construction engineering at Bovis. (London)

Together we engineer

This year’s theme highlights the work of women in an industry where they’re still significantly underrepresented.

They make up only 16.9% of the engineering and technology workforce, in comparison to 56% of other professions, according to 2025 Engineering UK figures.

The WES Top 50 winners shared how they think the industry can attract more women.

"Making women feel seen and heard through representation, recognition and role modelling is so important,” said Balbolia “Women learn from women.”

Quansah agreed: “Passion is contagious, and our stories are powerful tools to inspire.”

“When women see a unified industry offering challenge, reward, belonging, and tangible impact, they will join us,” she said.

“Our key task is reaching them far and wide, especially in spaces unaware of these incredible opportunities and talent.”

A collective effort

Dr Su highlighted the importance of fostering inclusive workplaces and supporting flexible career development.

“Collaboration between employers, professional bodies, and the education sector is essential to inspire and support women at every stage of their journey into engineering,” she added.

“The engineering industry thrives when it reflects the diversity of the world it serves,” Sartin said.

“To attract and retain more women in engineering, we need a collective, sustained effort across all levels.”

How the members contribute to the industry

As well as being an award-winning STEM ambassador for the ICE South West England region, Hayden is a QUEST scholar and an active member of her regional ICE committee.

She's also part of the institution’s Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) Committee.

Balbolia has also been a STEM ambassador and recipient of an ICE QUEST Travel Award. She used her award to support rural education in Malaysia.

Obtaining her chartership in November last year, as a graduate member of the ICE, Balbolia was part of the ICE London Graduates and Students Committee (now the Early Careers Network).

Quansah, who also volunteers as a STEM ambassador, became chartered at the age of 27 and now supports others to achieve the same.