Today, on International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), we are proud to celebrate the talented women across MHIAE whose expertise, innovation and leadership help drive our business forward every day.

Engineering thrives on diverse perspectives, fresh ideas and a shared commitment to solving complex challenges. The women in our teams make a vital contribution across every part of the organisation, helping to shape the technologies, products and standards that support our customers and industry.

This year, we’re shining a spotlight on Lesley Carrington, Technical Regulatory Lead at MHIAE, whose journey into engineering demonstrates that there is no single route into the profession.

For Lesley, the spark came early. Family trips to Heathrow Terminal 3 to watch Concorde arrive left a lasting impression. “These trips sparked an engineering curiosity in me,” she recalls.

Despite that fascination, Lesley didn’t begin her engineering career immediately. Instead, she took a different path before enrolling on an Access to Engineering course. That decision led her to study Aeronautics and Astronautics at the University of Southampton where she gained her BEng degree. This opened the door to a career spanning multiple industries, including automation, rail and type approval of fuel dispensing systems before joining MHIAE.

Today, as Technical Regulatory Lead, Lesley’s role is as varied as it is influential. “I love the variety of my job. One day, I can be researching, the next, I can be advocating for the company’s position. No day is the same, and the opportunity to make a difference is what drives me.”

Lesley’s experience highlights one of the most rewarding aspects of engineering: the opportunity to continually learn, adapt and make a tangible impact.

She also credits MHIAE’s culture for supporting professional growth and innovation. “MHIAE provides so many opportunities to grow and develop. All new ideas are encouraged.”

As we celebrate International Women in Engineering Day, we’re recognising not only Lesley’s achievements but also the contributions of all the women across MHIAE who bring their expertise, passion and dedication to work every day.

Their success stories demonstrate the breadth of opportunities available within engineering and serve as an inspiration for future generations considering a career in STEM.

Thank you to Lesley and to all our colleagues helping to shape the future of engineering.