Published: Tue 23 Jun 2026
Recognising our engineers for International Women in Engineering Day 2026
From apprentice to MBE – Alexia Williams
Alexia Williams, a Chartered Engineer and IET member, has been awarded an MBE for services to skills and education, recognising her contribution to widening access to engineering and championing alternative routes into the profession.
Alexia’s journey into engineering did not follow a traditional path. Entering the profession through the apprenticeship route, she combined hands on experience with academic study, becoming a Chartered Engineer at just 25. Today, she works as a Technical Lead at Rolls Royce, applying engineering judgement, problem solving and systems thinking to complex, long life engineering assets.
Engineering Intelligence, the theme of International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) 2026, reflects how engineering expertise is applied in practice, not just through technical capability, but through leadership, judgement and the ability to navigate complex systems.
Alexia’s career illustrates this clearly. By learning on the job while studying, she gained early exposure to real engineering environments, developed confidence through experience, and progressed quickly into leadership. She continues to use her platform to speak about skills development, apprenticeships and the importance of creating accessible, realistic pathways into engineering.
IET members recognised in the WES Top 50 Women in Engineering 2026
Alongside Alexia’s MBE, we are proud to recognise our members named in the WES Top 50 Women in Engineering (WE50) 2026 list, highlighting women who are making a meaningful difference across the profession.
Congratulations to:
- Aaliyah Arnold
- Rebecca Cheung
- Lucy Wistow Hughes, Chair, WISE Young Professionals Committee
- Rachel Donaghey MIET
- Adrienne Houston
- Roha Javed
- Kailey Mills
- Beth Probert
- Chloe So
Celebrating impact and progression
Together, these nods underline the importance of celebrating impact and progression, alongside representation. From early career professionals to senior leaders, the women recognised this year demonstrate how engineering intelligence drives innovation, strengthens organisations and helps address long term skills challenges.
As the engineering profession continues to evolve, stories like Alexia Williams’, and those of our members recognised by WES highlight the value of diverse pathways, informed careers advice and workplaces that enable people to thrive.