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AssetID: 40359629

Headline: The Flying Scotswoman

Caption: Friday 6th March 2020 Picture Credit Charlotte Graham Pictures Shows: UK WOMEN MISSING OUT ON JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN RAIL LNER runs special ÔFlying ScotswomanÕ service with all-female crew celebrating opportunities in the industry as part of International WomenÕs Day 2020 London North Eastern Railway (LNER) is calling on the rail industry to encourage more women to consider a career in the rail industry, following research that found 85 per cent of women of working age in the UK have never considered a career in rail. LNERÕs poll of women across the UK found the primary reason women are not considering the rail industry for their career is due to the perceived lack of a match between their skills and the jobs the sector offers, with six out of 10 women saying the industry is not relevant to their skills or expertise. Launching the results of the research on International WomenÕs Day, LNERÕs People Director Karen Lewis said the rail industry needs to work harder to promote itself to women, who are missing out on a rich source of career opportunities. ÒThere is a clear need for the industry to work together to demonstrate the unique opportunities on offer with a career in rail, and by doing so to help drive an increase in the number of women in the workplace,Ó Ms Lewis said. ÒLNER bucks the trend with women making up 42 per cent of our workforce, compared to an industry average of 16 per cent. Our diverse workforce is something weÕre extremely proud of at LNER and weÕre working hard to inspire and attract even more talented women to join the industry. ÒLNER has many examples of women who have remained in the business and progressed their careers due to having the right amount of support to do things like further their education or have families. Rail offers competitive salaries and a multitude of opportunities to progress careers, which we know are important factors for women in the working world of 2020.Ó Since taking over the East Coast route in 2018, LNER has demonstrated a track record in its commitment to successfully recruit more women into the business. In addition to a gender diversity split currently at 42 per cent, half of its Executive Board is also female. The research found that, at a time of significant investment and progression in the rail industry across the UK, many women are unaware of the benefits that come from working in the industry. More than half (52 per cent) of women say that if they were aware of a competitive salary rate and benefits in the industry, they would be more attracted to applying for roles. ÒThe UK rail industry is at its most dynamic point in modern times with the roll out of new technologies, new fleets and big new projects that offer women a huge range of career opportunities,Ó Ms Lewis explained. ÒWith 60 per cent of women citing that the industry is not relevant for their skills, itÕs clear that women are not seeing the full spectrum of opportunities that rail offers.Ó LNER has a strong and diverse workforce across a variety of roles within the business including engineers, drivers, digital innovators, travel advisers, business analysts, dispatchers, chefs and legal and finance managers Ð all of which are critical in keeping services on the iconic East Coast route running. To celebrate International WomenÕs Day 2020, LNER is today rebranding its most iconic service Ð the ÔFlying ScotsmanÕ which runs from Edinburgh to London KingÕs Cross Ð and turning it into the ÔFlying ScotswomanÕ for the month of March. Staffed entirely by women, todayÕs service will display a special International WomenÕs Day livery and host a range of women from a variety of organisations in the rail industry as well as from LNER. Summary of LNER Research Research commissioned by LNER was conducted by YouGov between 24-25 February 2020. A regional breakdown of results is also available. ¥ Total sample of 890 women aged 16-65, weighted and representative of all UK adults (aged 18+) ¥ 85 per cent of respondents have never considered a career in the rail industry ¥ When asked why they had not considered a career in rail, the following reasons were cited: o Not relevant to skills/expertise Ð 60 per cent o Available jobs are not interesting Ð 27 per cent ¥ 24 per cent do not think the UK rail industry is doing enough to recruit women ¥ 37 per cent agreed that rail is a male-dominated industry ¥ 20 per cent agreed the industry has a negative or old-fashioned profile ¥ Competitive salary and benefits were ranked by 52 per cent of women as the most appealing reason to join the industry ¥ The second-most appealing reason to join was career progression opportunities (44 per cent), followed by the ability to travel (39 per cent) ENDS Notes to Editors: Interviews with the LNER Executive board and Head of Engineering available on request: Karen Lewis, People Director Suzanne Donnelly, Commercial Director Claire Ansley, Customer Experience Director Kate McFerran, Communications Director Linda Wain, Head of Engineering FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact the LNER media team on 07704 021 208 or press.office@lner.co.uk Broadcast-quality B-roll, corporate video and images are available here: ¥ LNER-Azuma-content-hub.co.uk ¥ Username: Azuma-Media ¥ Password: Media#101 About LNER London North Eastern Railway (LNER) is on a mission to transform rail travel for the customers and communities we serve. Our new modern Azuma fleet of trains will continue the LNER tradition of setting new, higher standards in comfort, reliability and customer experience. LNER calls at 53 stations along the East Coast route, totalling 936 miles including major towns and cities between London, the East Midlands, Yorkshire, North East England and Scotland.

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