Infinis celebrates International Women's Day 2025

Ahead of International Women’s Day 2025, we spoke to five of our wonderful colleagues and got their insights on things like their role in the company, how progress in gender inclusion can be accelerated, advice for young women entering the workforce, and how to foster a more inclusive workplace.

A big thank you to Felicity Ward (Associate Director, 3i Investments plc & Infinis Board Member), Rebekah Smart (Controls and Instrumentation Technician Apprentice), Sandra Bodurkiewicz (Outage Manager), Abigail Danks (Sustainability Analyst) and Su Ruthven (Director of HSQEC & Sustainability) for their time, effort and contributions.

What do you do within the company, and what parts of your role do you enjoy the most?

Abigail: “I started at Infinis as a Landfill Gas Technician and was in the role for 3 years. During this time, I worked my way up to a Grade 2 Technician responsible for balancing the gas field, monitoring the infrastructure and maintaining environmental compliance. I recently took on a newly created role as a Sustainability Analyst. My role now consists of measuring our Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions as part of our ISO14064: Part 1 Accreditation. I analyse the information and explore ways to further improve the carbon footprint of our operations – it’s a really enjoyable role, and I feel like I am making a positive difference!”

Rebekah: “I’m a Control & Instrumentation (C&I) Technician Apprentice at Infinis. My role focuses on ensuring the engines communicate across the network and diagnosing faults when issues arise. I enjoy the variety - one day I might be calibrating a gas analyser, and the next I will be diagnosing faults in engine panels or running new cables. It’s never the same job twice, which keeps it exciting. I joined Infinis because I wanted hands-on experience in a technical field. Over the past six months, I’ve enjoyed developing my skills and learning more about different aspects of engineering.”

The IWD theme this year is 'Accelerate Action' - Have you seen any positive changes in gender inclusion in your field, and how do you think progress can be accelerated?

Su: “When I began my career in the industry over 20 years ago, only two women were working on-site. Today, however, we see many women in various operational roles within the business and a significant number in our head office. It’s encouraging to see these positive changes, and I have no doubt that the friendly, inclusive environment at Infinis will continue to support further progress. Accelerating gender diversity in engineering presents challenges for the whole industry, but I believe this work must start in schools. It’s essential to show girls the significant opportunities available in STEM fields and highlight how rewarding these careers can be. Having female role models will be instrumental in this effort, and I am confident that gender diversity in engineering will continue to grow as we move forward.”

Felicity: “I took an unusual path into my current role through the legal profession, which isn't as common as accountancy or finance. One big challenge in improving gender inclusion is enabling women to remain in the workforce as they advance in their careers. Still, I've seen positive changes, especially since the pandemic, with companies embracing remote work. Throughout my career, I have noticed a shift in expectations of both female and male employees. There is an increasing expectation among employees and employers that women can and will remain in their positions and receive promotions after starting families. Similarly, men want to be more actively involved in family life, such as doing the school run.”

What advice would you offer to young women aspiring to enter similar sectors or roles like yours?

Sandra: “Be brave, and remember that if things don't work out, it's okay. If you don't step out of your comfort zone, you miss out on all the fun. The possibilities are endless, but you must ignore any concerns in your head and focus on your goals and what you want to achieve. Always remember that this is your life and your journey. While it's important to listen to the advice of others, be sure to filter it and determine what is best for you!”

Rebekah: "Go for it! Confidence can be a challenge, but once you settle in, you won’t regret it. Don’t let self-doubt stop you. An apprenticeship is a great way to get hands-on experience while learning on the job. Many companies expect prior experience, but apprenticeships allow you to build that knowledge from the ground up. It’s a steady and rewarding way to enter the field, and once you’ve developed those skills, they stay with you for life."

Abigail: “It can be daunting to enter a sector that’s traditionally male-led, but I don’t think there is anything to be worried about. From my experience, you need to be committed in your work, have effective communication skills and be a good critical thinker. It is ultimately about being the best you can be, regardless of your gender. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions; you’re not expected to know everything, and that is the best way to learn.” 

How can companies like Infinis support and empower women in technical and leadership positions to foster a more inclusive workplace?

Felicity: “The first step is to look at how daily experiences and career paths differ based on gender and other inclusion factors. Examples of the former include ensuring equal facilities, like male and female lavatories, and providing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for all sizes. Employers are increasingly recognising the unique needs of their employees at different life stages. Where a role allows for flexibility in work arrangements - whether through remote work or adjusted hours - this can have a meaningful impact on retention. Even if complete flexibility isn't possible, assessing where adjustments can be made can help employees balance work and personal responsibilities more effectively.”

Su: “I believe it is essential to provide ongoing support for job-specific training and development to help women progress and grow professionally in their roles. Ensuring that women in the workplace have equal opportunities, along with being transparent about gender pay reporting (which Infinis already does), will promote a more inclusive workplace in the future.”

Sandra: "As we live in a digital world, I would promote the amazing women from the field. I would suggest creating short videos showcasing them while they work, highlighting what their job entails, what they love about it and why they chose this career path – just like we do on the Infinis website. These videos could then be shared internally and externally to show more recognition in the workplace."