Read: Former Transport Secretary Rt Hon Justine Greening joins Southeastern Railway as we celebrate International Women in Engineering Day
Kent-born Trailblazer Verena Holmes honoured with train naming on International Women in Engineering Day as Southeastern looks to boost number of women in engineering roles
Honour marks International Women in Engineering Day on 23 June 2023 as southeastern raises awareness of careers for women in engineering and technical roles
Verena became the first female member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and Society of Locomotion Engineers
Train naming ceremony held at Cannon Street station attended by Verena’s great niece, Caroline Yardley
On International Women in Engineering Day 2023 Southeastern, the railway company serving Kent Sussex and Southeast London has honoured engineering trailblazer Kent-born Verena Holmes, the first woman to become an elected member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). In marking International Women in Engineering Day, Southeastern wants to raise awareness of roles for women in engineering, traditionally a male-dominated field.
Pictured: Southeastern Technical Services Engineer, Nada Abouelhiga; Southeastern Managing Director, Steve White; Chair of the Purpose Coaliton & former Secretary of State for Transport, Rt Hon Justine Greening
Verena a native of Ashford, Kent, was born on today’s date in 1889, with 23 June also being the date International Women in Engineering Day is marked each year.
The train being named after Verena Holmes is a Class 375 operating on Mainline routes between London, Kent and East Sussex, which was unveiled at a ceremony at London’s Cannon Street station. Verena Holmes’ family was represented by her great niece Caroline Yardley, and she was welcomed by Southeastern’s Managing Director, Steve White.
Verena was arguably the first female in the UK to have a full-time career as a professional mechanical engineer. She was also a strong advocate for women in engineering and was dedicated to the development of her fellow female engineers. She set up her own all-female engineering firm in 1946 after working on naval weaponry during World War Two.
Steve White, Southeastern’s Managing Director, said:“Verena Holmes was born on our part of the railway, and she blazed a trail through a male-dominated world to deliver innovation, invention and inspiration in equal measure. We at Southeastern want to recognise that legacy and are proud to name a train in her honour.
“We want to build on Verena’s achievements by increasing the number of women we employ. Among our 4,500 or so colleagues, around 900 are women, and we have several programmes, like our apprentice scheme, to increase that number and breaking down misconceptions about careers in engineering. We want women to see rail as an industry where they can thrive on an equal footing. Our ambition is to increase the number of women we employ as engineers every year.”
Rt Hon Justine Greening, Chair of Purpose Coalition and former Secretary of State for Transport, said: "I'm delighted to join Steve White today to unveil this train, named in honour of Verena Winifred Holmes. She blazed a trail for women - in the workplace, in business and in the engineering sector.
"So it's very appropriate that Southeastern, a rail company that is delivering opportunity to the communities it serves, is holding this event to mark International Women in Engineering Day. It is committed to opening up a range of careers that were traditionally male-dominated, offering women the chance to acquire and improve green skills, whether they are at the start of their careers or want to retrain.
"The transport sector is vital for economic growth. Southeastern connects communities in Kent and Sussex as well as local businesses, including the tourist industry which is vital to the local economy. Our partnership has shown that, as part of our transport sector, it has the potential to drive long-term and sustainable change in the region."
Southeastern Technical Services Engineer, Nada Abouelhiga also attended the ceremony, she said:
“Southeastern has supported me in my ambition to be taken seriously as a woman engineer and has valued my skills and the contribution I can make.
“We all follow in the footsteps of inspirational women like Verena Holmes, and she richly deserves this honour.”
