--- title: Steph McElhatton url: "https://www.systra.com/uk/careers/our-colleagues/steph-whiteley/" type: page date_published: 2025-06-17 date_modified: 2026-03-06 schema: @type: WebPage language: en-GB word_count: 946 reading_time: 5 min canonical: "https://www.systra.com/uk/careers/our-colleagues/steph-whiteley/" featured_image: "https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/05/personal-story-website-header.jpg" --- # Steph McElhatton ![Steph McElhatton](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/05/personal-story-website-header.jpg) ![Profile picture of Steph McElhatton](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/steph-mcelhatton-career-profile-picture.jpg) **Role**: Programme Director **Career Area**: Project and Commercial Management **Location**: York ###### My role at SYSTRA I’m currently working as Programme Director on TRU East, where we are coming towards the end of ES5. I’m also leading the first commission (Leeds to York ES3), having been successfully appointed as a contractor on Network Rail’s DDPF framework. The programmes have a common goal – to improve rail transport across the North of England by having more frequent, faster services which will better connect major cities and boost economic growth. My role is to ensure we deliver on our promises, which includes keeping to our clients’ budget and programme. Delivering safe, sustainable, value-engineered programmes aligns strongly with the goals of our clients. ###### My career journey I started work in a junior position within a manufacturing company (Wharfedale Speakers for any music buffs). I worked in all aspects of the business from production, sales, accounts, stores and distribution, to being a PA (where I got to speak with Lord Alan Sugar before his days on the apprentice!). It gave me a good grounding to understand how a business operates. I settled in procurement and commercial, spending ten years working in manufacturing, service sectors and modular building before I started working in the rail industry in 2004. Initially I took on a commercial role, and then moved into project management around 18 years ago. I’ve undertaken a lot of training over the years, gained my Project Management Chartership and I support the APM as Chartership Assessor. ###### We asked Steph… ###### When did you realise this was the career path for you? A colleague, who later became my boss, suggested I try project management because they thought I’d be good at it. I was at a point where I needed to either continue with further study in the role I had, or have a go at something new. I decided to try project management and was thrown in at the deep end – thankfully I really enjoyed it and never looked back. The experience I’d already gained definitely helped in my new role. ###### As a woman working in a STEM industry, do you have any advice for others considering this pathway?  My advice is not to let anything hold you back from doing what you want or feel passionate about. There are lots of opportunities to get involved and SYSTRA promotes great career pathways to guide you to where you aspire to be. ###### How does SYSTRA set a good example in supporting women in the workplace? SYSTRA sets a good example by ensuring there is no gender bias, ensures the best person for the role is chosen, and actively promotes diversity and inclusion. SYSTRA is leading in terms of a common-sense approach to work-life balance that allows working parents of all genders to have the best of both worlds. ###### With such power in diversity, what unique perspective do you bring to the table? Working in different industries outside of rail and engineering means I’ve been able to challenge norms and offer alternative viewpoints to help teams think about challenges from a different perspective. ###### Have there been any challenges for you working as a woman in STEM? How have you handled these? I’ve sat in meetings, and still do, where I am the only woman. Much earlier in my career you could read the room, and the body language clearly gave off the impression of ‘what are you doing here? What are you going to be able to offer/know?’. Sometimes it was assumed I was there to get the tea and coffee and take the minutes. I had confidence in my abilities and always listened to make sure I had a good understanding of the situation, making sure that when I contributed it was pitched at the right level and made sense to everyone, providing ideas and solutions that would drive successful delivery. ###### Where is the place that has inspired you the most? I don’t have one place that has inspired me the most as I take inspiration from lots of different places. Countryside and coastal walks provide me with the opportunity to be in awe of the world we live in and amongst. I also find cities inspiring due to all the vibrant cultures and architecture. ###### What would a truly 󠀁_green future_󠁿 look like? It’s hard to say without sounding cliché. It’s important we have a strong strategy that is _actually_ ‘green’, rather than jumping from one thing to the next when we realise something is not ‘green’ in the long term. All countries must be united in terms of what ‘green’ looks like and push for shorter timescales to make it happen. ###### How do you look after your wellbeing outside of work? I eat healthily and exercise regularly. This clears my mind and makes me feel energised. I also enjoy cooking to unwind, which my kids don’t object to. Spending quality time with family is also very important. ###### If you could spend your lunchbreak with someone you really admire, who would you choose?  Bob Mortimer – I would just enjoy the madness for an hour. ###### If you had to pick, which mode of transport would you use for the rest of your life? Ideally, I would like to teleport myself. No traffic, no stress and very quick. Until that technology arrives, I’ll take the train. [> View all](https://www.systra.com/uk/careers/our-colleagues/) [learn more about life at systra](https://www.systra.com/uk/careers/life-at-systra/)