​Opening up engineering to women and girls, as well as encouraging youngsters of both genders to consider engineering careers, Spirax-Sarco Engineering plc, Harrison Clark Rickerbys and Gloucestershire’s new STEM Network are joining forces on Friday June 23, for International Women in Engineering Day.
International engineering firm Spirax-Sarco Engineering plc will host events throughout the day at its Runnings Road site in Cheltenham, starting with activities for schools in the morning – three Year 6 classes will be on site to try their hands at building and racing vehicles under the guidance of The BLOODHOUND Project, exploring engineering in one of its many forms.
Over lunchtime, employees and invited guests will be given the chance to discuss the challenges presented by the project’s supersonic car project as it strives both to beat the existing World Land Speed record and also to travel at more than 1,000 mph.
Local engineering businesses and networks will be the focus for the afternoon, with a panel discussion event, keynote speakers including Nicholas Anderson (Chief Executive, Spirax Sarco) and Polly Pick from the University of Gloucestershire, and a chance to meet others with a passion for promoting careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).
The Gloucestershire STEM Network will launch during the afternoon. Supported by the University of Gloucestershire, the launch will offer a real insight into what it means to work in STEM-related industries and highlight some of the inspiring careers can follow from STEM subjects in education.
Nicholas Anderson said: “Spirax-Sarco Engineering plc is proud to support the International Women in Engineering initiative. As an equal opportunities employer, we firmly believe that diversity, in all its forms, strengthens and creates vitality within our global business.
For more details on the day’s events nationally and internationally, visit www.inwed.org.uk; for details on STEM events and developments, visit www.stem.org.uk.
Spirax-Sarco Engineering plc is the world leader in each of its two businesses, Spirax Sarco for steam specialties and Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group for niche peristaltic pumps and associated fluid path technologies. The Steam Specialties business provides a broad range of fluid control products, engineered packages, site services and systems expertise for a diverse range of industrial and institutional customers. The Company helps its end users to improve production efficiency, reduce energy costs, water usage and emissions, improve product quality and enhance the safety of their operations. Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group offers the ideal solution for a wide variety of demanding fluid path applications with highly accurate, controllable and virtually maintenance free pumps and associated technologies. The Group is headquartered in Cheltenham, England, has strategically located manufacturing plants around the world and employs over 5,900 people, of whom more than 1,400 are direct sales and service engineers. Its shares have been listed on the London Stock Exchange since 1959 (symbol: SPX).
Harrison Clark Rickerbys has 450 staff and partners based at offices in Cheltenham, the Wye Valley, Hereford, Worcester, Birmingham and the Thames Valley, who provide a complete spectrum of legal services to both business and private clients, regionally and nationwide. The firm also has a number of highly successful teams specialising in individual market sectors, including health and social care, education, agricultural and rural affairs, defence, security and the forces, advanced manufacturing and construction.
Following the merger in 2011 of Harrison Clark and Shawcross Solicitors, Harrison Clark Rickerbys was formed in 2013 by the further merger with long established regional law firm, Rickerbys LLP. In June 2014 the company also merged with K&M Family Law Solutions, and in May 2015 the firm partnered with fisheries and water law experts, Simon Jackson Solicitors. The firm merged in 2017 with Gordon Lutton Solicitors in Hereford.
The firm has a total of 450 staff and partners operating out of offices in Worcester, Cheltenham, the Wye Valley, Hereford, the Thames Valley and Birmingham, and by appointment in central London, and a turnover of c£28m.
The firm has specialist expertise in agriculture and rural affairs; construction and engineering; health and social care; defence, security and the forces; and education.