Among the winners were Jennie Wiggle, a senior director of Living Streets, who won the customer / passenger leader award. She told TP Weekly News that young women looking to develop a career in the sector should “go for it”.

“Never say to yourself that you cannot do something because you are a woman,” she said. “The world is changing and there are certainly more opportunities for women then when I was younger.”

Lisa Hogben, a programme delivery manager with the Nichols Group won the Infrastructure ‘Above & Beyond’ award for her work on High Speed 2. She said that women can get on in construction without being an engineer. “I didn’t study any STEM subjects, but studied languages at university. I have never felt held back by the fact I am not an engineer.”

Marianne Kilpatrick, a director with Atkins won the Infrastructure Leader award. Young women, she said, need to “take opportunities even if they feel risky, as you will always learn something”. She added that progress in equality will have been achieved when gender is no longer seen as an issue.

Gordon Wakeford, chief executive of Siemens Mobility was named ‘Male Agent of Change’ for his work to encourage women in the sector. He was asked for his one piece of advice for young women looking to enter the sector. Gordon replied: “Be bold and assertive.”