The Engineering Talent Podcast

In this episode of the Engineering Talent Podcast, host Fayon Dixon is joined by David Stevens, NHS Estates Director and award-winning engineering leader at our Engineering Talent Awards 2026, to explore his journey from apprentice electrician to senior leadership. David shares what it takes to manage the buildings and infrastructure that underpin patient care, the challenges of balancing limited resources with critical healthcare needs, and why effective leadership requires more than technical expertise. As the first openly gay Vice President of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), he also reflects on the importance of LGBTQ+ visibility, authentic leadership and creating opportunities for the next generation of engineers.

Engineering is all around us, often in ways we don't even recognise. In this episode of the Engineering Talent Podcast, host Fayon Dixon is joined by Charlotte Wessels, a chemical engineer whose career has taken her from industrial plant operations and wastewater research to engineering policy and disability advocacy. Drawing on her experiences as a neurodivergent and disabled professional, Charlotte explores the value of different perspectives, the importance of creating workplaces where people can thrive, and why adaptability and problem-solving are at the heart of engineering. She also reflects on finding purpose beyond job titles, connecting people across disciplines, and making engineering more accessible to the next generation.

This October, the Engineering Talent Podcast, powered by EqualEngineers, marks Black History Month by bringing together nine Black engineers we've had the privilege of interviewing. Host Fayon Dixon revisits moments from guests across motorsport, nuclear, aerospace, medical technology, civil engineering, AI and tech: Stephanie Alexander, Melissa-Sue Anderson, Nyasha Mutembwa, Nadia Kanyike, Blossom Olisemeke, Shohail Ismail, Ash Kala, Yanmi Orebowale and Ranita Ariyibi. They talk about walking into rooms where they're the only one, the weight of having to work twice as hard, finding their voice, and what it means to become the role model they never had. Packed with real experience, hard-won lessons and plenty of hope, this episode is for anyone who has ever wondered whether there's a place for them in engineering.

In this episode of the Engineering Talent Podcast, Fayon Dixon is joined by Adrian Turle, Managing Director of Crane Craft Limited, to explore how inclusion, wellbeing and practical thinking can help reshape the culture of construction. Adrian shares his journey from running a coffee shop at 18 to working in lifting operations, and discusses his work creating employment pathways for autistic people, breaking down barriers into the industry and building more supportive workplaces. From the realities of safety-critical work to the importance of helping people recognise their value and sense of belonging, this conversation looks at what it takes to create lasting change in construction.

After four years away from engineering and being forced to leave Ukraine with her two children, Anna Shkurba faced the challenge of rebuilding both her life and career in the UK. In this episode of the Engineering Talent Podcast, Anna joins Fayon Dixon to share her journey back into the profession, from repeated job rejections and doubts about whether her international experience would be recognised, to finding an opportunity through the STEM Returners programme and becoming a Senior Public Health Engineer at Jacobs. She reflects on confidence, language, belonging and the importance of taking small steps forward, while sharing what she has learned about recognising your own experience and believing that you still belong in engineering.

In this episode of the Engineering Talent Podcast, Fayon Dixon speaks with Panxin West about her journey from wanting to become a chef to building a career in nuclear engineering through an apprenticeship at Rolls-Royce SMR. Panxin reflects on the rejections and self-doubt she faced along the way, the confidence she gained through work and life experience, and why she believes young people should avoid comparing their journey to others. She also shares what motivates her to give back as a STEM ambassador and mentor, helping to challenge misconceptions about engineering and become the kind of role model she wishes she had when she was younger.

In this episode of the Engineering Talent Podcast, Fayon Dixon speaks with Julia Barr about building a successful career in commercial management while balancing family life, flexible working and the realities of being part of a military family. Julia shares how her career developed from support roles into nuclear projects, why adaptability and relationship-building have been central to her progression, and how flexible working has enabled her to keep growing professionally without missing the moments that matter at home. She also discusses the transferable skills parents and military partners bring to the workplace, the importance of knowing your value, and why the right employer should recognise what people can contribute beyond a traditional way of working.

Space software engineer and PhD researcher Beth Probert joins Fayon Dixon to share the unconventional journey that took her from astrophysics and accountancy to software engineering and satellite research. Beth talks about following a childhood dream of working in space, why careers do not have to follow a straight line, and the importance of being willing to “rock the boat” and bring your authentic self to work. She also explores her research into decentralised satellite networks, the real-world impact of space technology, her passion for inspiring the next generation into STEM, and what it was like helping to rewrite the rules of football for the Moon.

In this episode of the Engineering Talent Podcast, Fayon Dixon speaks with Animesh Anand about breaking down barriers for disabled and neurodivergent talent in engineering. Animesh shares how his own experiences shaped his advocacy, why asking for support should be seen as a strength, and how inclusive design benefits everyone. From education and workplace culture to representation, retention and burnout, this conversation explores what it really takes to create engineering environments where people are supported to contribute, develop and thrive.

Brogan MacDonald was once told that engineering was not for her. Now an award-winning structural engineer and sustainability leader, she is helping to reshape what the profession can look like. In this episode of the Engineering Talent Podcast, Brogan joins Fayon Dixon to discuss overcoming setbacks, finding the right way to learn, creating space for failure and why the future of engineering will depend as much on empathy, communication and human judgement as technical ability. She also reflects on the culture changes needed to bring more women into engineering and the importance of challenging systems rather than expecting people to simply fit into them.