People
Promoting, inspiring and developing the UK rail industry Fi Westcough, chair of the Young Rail Professionals, on reconnecting the community post-pandemic and creating a longer-term strategy
F
i Westcough isn’t someone to shy away from a challenge. Relatively new to the industry, she has already played a pivotal role on several high-profile projects, from supporting the delivery of the Class 701 European Train Control System while at Bombardier, through to working as a rolling stock engineer on the S8 Programme Lift for Transport for London. But as well progressing her own career – currently a consultant (strategic rail), transportation at Atkins, and working towards Chartership with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers – Fi is passionate about inspiring the next generation of workers as the rail industry faces a critical skills shortage. She recently won the Future Leader category at the Railway Industry Supplier Excellence Awards, 46 | June 2022
I’ll keep striving for more opportunities for young people so others can follow in my footsteps where she was described by the judges as an inspirational young rail professional doing all she can to create the next generation of engineers – something she is already achieving with her work for the Young Rail Professionals (YRP). “I was humbled to be recognised as Future Leader.
“It has given me an inner confidence to know that I should keep doing what I’m doing because it’s creating positive change. I’ll keep striving for more opportunities for young people so others can follow in my footsteps as well,” she said. “Anyone new to the industry might sometimes feel like they can’t make a difference, but the award shows that you can. Hopefully others can take inspiration: if I can do it, you can too. It just takes hard work, dedication and a lot of resilience to get there.” Fi became national chair of YRP, a voluntary role, in April. The organisation was founded in 2009 to promote the rail industry as a great place to work, to inspire the next generation of railway talent and help new entrants in the industry to reach their potential. railbusinessdaily.com