Women at TPE: Becky's Story

Becky Woodhead has detailed her inspiring story in a video as TPE announced the latest part of its Week of Inclusion which has seen the company celebrate diversity and embrace the individuality of both its employees and customers.

After starting as a security guard at Cleethorpes station, Becky received support from TPE and took the company’s Step Up programme, which helps women develop their careers and discover new opportunities. Thanks to the programme, Becky quickly progressed, first becoming a revenue protection officer, before securing a job as a conductor.

Becky said: “Without the help I received from TPE and the fantastic Step Up programme I wouldn’t be where I am today. The programme is focused on helping women progress within the company, which is so important in what is still a male-dominated industry.

“I was skeptical at first, but after completing the programme my confidence has increased. Now I’m in, and have worked in the rail industry, I couldn’t see myself anywhere else. I love my job and wouldn’t have been able to make it this far without the help TPE provides.”

Currently, 23 percent of staff at TPE are women, a percentage that TPE is constantly looking to increase.

Harriet Harbidge, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at TPE, said: “We’re so excited to celebrate our first Week of Inclusion and highlight some of the incredible colleagues we have, such as Becky, who make a real difference to TPE.

The Step Up and Step Forward development programmes, which are focused on giving female front-line colleagues the opportunity to gain management roles, and managers to progress to senior roles, have a 60 percent and 75 percent success rate respectively in terms of colleagues gaining a promotion, a job move internally or secondment.

In addition, TPE added in two more programmes in 2023 including a mentoring scheme and Senior Women’s Development programme. In the past 12 months, 35 percent of all internal promotions have been from female candidates.

Becky’s success story comes hot on the heels of the unveiling of TPE’s Nova 1 ‘Unity’ train, featuring the most up-to-date Pride Progress Flag, which is now set to travel throughout the North and into Scotland, becoming a beacon of hope for the millions of diverse communities TPE serves.

Harriet added: “Launching the ‘Unity Train’ was a perfect way to kickstart the week. Speaking to our LGBTQ+ network group we know how important it is to our colleagues and the communities we serve, that this train is now in service.”

To mark the week, TPE also announced a partnership with The Proud Trust, an LGBT+ youth charity empowering young people to be proud of who they are.

Lisa Harvey Nebil, CEO of The Proud Trust, said: “Seeing the ‘Unity Train’ in all its glory fills myself and our team with huge pride and we can’t wait for the LGBT+ community to see the train as it travels throughout the North.

“We’ve already received fantastic support from TPE and we’re looking forward to doing more inspiring work together.”