One of our partners, Rachel Bridge became the new chair of the Pipeline Industries Guild (PIG) this week. Rachel graduated from Harper Adams University in 2009 and joined our Utilities and Infrastructure team as a Graduate Surveyor, qualifying in 2010. She was first introduced to the Guild in 2007 during her time as a placement student and entered the Sir John Parker competition during the same year.
After graduating, Rachel joined the Midlands Branch of the Guild, taking on the active role on the committee as Secretary in 2017 progressing to DC2 the following year. She was later nominated to become Chair of the Midlands Branch and faced the challenge of maintaining a vibrant committee throughout Covid whilst delivering some excellent technical events.
Rachel also recently trained as a STEM ambassador and delivers presentations and lessons with primary and secondary schools, alongside supporting universities to help tackle the science technology, engineering, and mathematics skills shortage to help empower the next generation.
We caught up with her to find out why a renewed focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion to recruit the best into the infrastructure sector is crucial for the industry to flourish.
Why is taking the role of Chair for the PIG important to you?
I’m delighted to have been elected as Chair by my peers, which is a real vote of confidence in what I can bring to the table. I have been involved with the Guild since I was a placement student at Fisher German in 2007, so to now be its Chair is pretty amazing.
The pipeline industry is facing a number of challenges, particularly in recruitment, but also has huge opportunities on the horizon with the transition to net zero and the advent of major hydrogen projects coming onstream.
To be the Chair of an association that is at the forefront of these projects is incredibly exciting and I’m really looking forward to getting started.
During my time as Chair, I also hope to encourage plenty of people from all backgrounds into the Guild – I found it so useful at the start of my career, so I’d like to see many more get involved, build their networks, and improve the industry.
Before being elected Chair, I had been delivering presentations and lessons within primary and secondary schools and supporting universities to help tackle the science technology, engineering, and mathematics skills shortage to help empower the next generation.
This focus on education and highlighting that our industry is for everyone is something I’d like to continue in my role as Chair.
Why does the PIG matter?
Major pipeline projects involve many stakeholders and can take a very long time, so all parts of the industry must be regularly talking to each other to share best practice and complete projects efficiently and effectively.
It not only helps members coordinate their projects and expertise but enables everyone to develop their knowledge and careers through events and networking opportunities.
The Guild also helps promote the utilities and infrastructure sector, which is vital to ensure the industry does not miss out on recruiting talented individuals.
What would your mission statement for the next 12 months look like?
My aims for the next 12 months would be to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion within the sector, put the Guild at the heart of the discussion for sustainable and secure energy, and increase its work with universities and other educational establishments to recruit the best talent into this sector and promote the Guild.
Describe a successful year in your role as Chair
I’d love to see more members actively thinking about equity, diversity, and inclusion in their recruitment practices – not to tick a box, but to ensure that all avenues are considered when attracting and hiring talent.
Further outreach into schools and universities is also key for me, and I would like to see more of our members play a key part in shouting about the benefits of our sector to a wider audience.
On the sustainable energy side, through the Net Zero Transition panel and our other panels and branches the Guild can contribute positively to the roll-out of key infrastructure such as hydrogen pipelines and the decarbonising of other industries to help the country achieve its net-zero ambitions.
Of course, I’m also really looking forward to being involved in the many networking events across our branches and empowering regional chairs to contribute positively to the industry in their localities.
Which Guild meet-ups stand out for you?
For me, the highlight is the Professional Development Network (PDN) competition final, usually held at the Guild Conference in May. It’s fantastic to see such a wide range of diverse people bringing their experiences to life and sharing best practices.
About Rachel
Rachel is now a Partner at Fisher German, and during her time with the consultancy has led several major projects including the property management and asset protection of 2,500km of high-pressure oil pipelines, as well as being responsible for the property management of a 2,000km fibre optic cable network.
