The Engineering Talent Podcast

In this episode of the Engineering Talent Podcast, Fayon Dixon speaks with Neh Sharma, Senior Energy Engineer at Sweco, about his journey from power plants in India to renewable energy projects across Europe. Neh reflects on stepping outside his comfort zone, studying in the UK, building resilience, and moving from mentee to mentor through the EqualEngineers Pathways Programme. With experience across solar, wind, battery storage and smart grids, he shares what drives his passion for sustainable engineering, the importance of mentorship, and his advice for aspiring engineers looking to build meaningful careers in renewable energy.

In this episode of the Engineering Talent Podcast, Fayon Dixon speaks with Sarah Hodgkinson, Senior Manager for Power Station Integration at Rolls-Royce SMR and winner of the ETA 2025 Returner of the Year award. Sarah shares her journey from aerospace into nuclear, why stepping away from engineering made her a stronger leader, and how returning on her own terms helped her rediscover what she loves about the profession. Together they explore inclusive leadership, the value of being challenged, the importance of visibility for returners and parents, and how engineering careers can be shaped to fit real life as well as professional ambition.

In this episode of the Engineering Talent Podcast, Fayon Dixon speaks with Asfarina Jamaluddin, a degree apprentice in materials science whose journey into engineering has been shaped by curiosity, challenge and a determination to find her own path. Asfarina shares how an early dislike of maths turned into a love for problem-solving, the influence of her mother and teachers, and why stepping outside her comfort zone has helped her grow as an engineer. From hands-on industry learning to award nominations and finding confidence in technical spaces, this conversation explores what it means to push yourself, ask questions and build a career on your own terms.

In this episode of the Engineering Talent Podcast, Fayon Dixon speaks with Gregor Sandford about the journey into engineering, the power of applying maths to the real world, and the importance of building a career with purpose. From growing up between New York and Scotland to exploring renewable energy, heat pumps, sustainable homes and the future of engineering, Gregor reflects on the experiences that shaped his path and the lessons he has learned along the way. He also shares insights into university setbacks, mentoring early-career talent, and why stepping outside your comfort zone is such an important part of growth in engineering.

In this episode of the Engineering Talent Podcast, Fayon Dixon speaks with Bethany Hall about building a career in engineering that is driven by purpose, shaped by challenge and grounded in personal values. From sustainable aviation and hydrogen aircraft to imposter syndrome, redundancy and career change, Bethany shares an honest reflection on what it means to look for impact, navigate uncertainty and find a place where you can truly thrive. It is a thoughtful conversation about engineering, identity, inclusion and staying true to what matters most.

In this episode of the Engineering Talent Podcast, Fayon speaks with Hasiba Nawaz about her journey into engineering, the realities of starting an apprenticeship, and the resilience it takes to keep going when confidence is tested. Hasiba reflects on learning to block out outside opinions, trust herself, and keep pushing forward even when things feel difficult. It is an honest conversation about growth, determination, and why real change starts with backing yourself.

What does it really take to become an engineer when the path isn’t built for you? In this episode of the Engineering Talent Podcast, Ash Kala shares his journey from growing up in a low progression school to working in high impact engineering roles where his ideas have delivered real world results. Along the way he opens up about imposter syndrome, navigating university challenges finding his strengths as a people focused engineer and the power of representation in shaping the next generation. This is an inspiring conversation about resilience identity and redefining what it means to succeed in engineering today.

In this episode of the Engineering Talent Podcast, Fayon Dixon speaks with Alexia Williams, a multi award winning STEM champion, Chartered Engineer and Technical Lead at Rolls-Royce. Alexia shares her journey from aerospace degree apprentice to industry leader and reflects on the experiences that shaped her career along the way. Together they explore the power of apprenticeships, the importance of role models, and why engineering is ultimately about problem solving, creativity and collaboration. Alexia also speaks openly about confidence, imposter syndrome and the need to create workplaces where women not only enter engineering but truly thrive.

In this episode of the Engineering Talent Podcast, Fayon Dixon speaks with mechanical engineer Daanish Chilwan, whose journey shows how curiosity, resilience and saying yes to opportunities can shape an extraordinary career. Growing up in Bradford, Daanish never imagined he would one day work both in heavy industry and trackside in international motorsport. From studying mechanical engineering and joining Formula Student at university to working as a Mechanical Plant Engineer at Tata Steel and gaining experience with Chip Ganassi Racing in Extreme E, he shares how theory turns into real world engineering under pressure. Daanish also reflects on the power of mentoring, the impact of programmes like the EqualEngineers Pathways Programme, and why giving back to inspire the next generation of engineers is just as important as building the technology of the future.

In this episode of the Engineering Talent Podcast, Stephanie Alexander shares her journey from a young motorsport fan inspired by Lewis Hamilton to becoming a senior calibration engineer, Formula One race marshal, and advocate for inclusion in engineering. She takes us behind the scenes of high-pressure trackside decisions, explains the split-second software intelligence inside modern vehicles, and reflects openly on resilience, representation, and reclaiming power in the face of adversity. From mentoring the next generation to amplifying the often unseen volunteers who keep motorsport running safely, Stephanie’s story is one of confidence, purpose, and showing up at full speed, on and off the track.

What does it really take to hold onto a childhood dream of becoming an astronaut, and keep chasing it into your twenties? In this episode of the Engineering Talent Podcast, Jakub shares his journey from building with Lego as a child in the Czech Republic to pursuing a PhD and flying planes while navigating rejection, setbacks, and the harsh realities of the AI driven job market. He speaks about failing exams, doubting his path after university, and why recognition at the Engineering Talent Awards came at exactly the right moment. This is a conversation about resilience, ambition, failure, and what it truly means to build a legacy in engineering.

In this episode of the Engineering Talent Podcast, host Fayon Dixon sits down with award winning civil engineering undergraduate Amy-Rose Richardson to explore what it really takes to grow in engineering with confidence and purpose. From her first eye opening experience on HS2 to volunteering across Cambodia India and beyond, Amy-Rose shares how global exposure shaped her passion for sustainable infrastructure and post war reconstruction. She speaks about rejection leadership imposter feelings and the power of mentorship, offering practical advice for students navigating their own path. This is a conversation about belonging impact and building a future where engineering serves communities when they need it most.

In this episode of the Engineering Talent Podcast, host Fayon Dixon sits down with Suleymaan Khan, a young robotics innovator whose passion for engineering started in childhood and has grown into award-winning projects with real social impact. Suleymaan shares how curiosity led him into robotics, the inspiration behind building Pepper, a robot designed to support elderly independence, and why creativity matters more than budget when it comes to engineering. From teaching himself through YouTube to using everyday materials to build complex systems, this conversation explores the mindset, resilience, and purpose driving the next generation of robotics talent.

In this episode of the Engineering Talent Podcast, Fayon Dixon is joined by Nyasha Mutembwa, an engineer, leader, and changemaker whose journey spans continents, cultures, and confidence. From growing up with limited exposure to engineering to discovering curiosity through travel, education, and problem-solving, Nyasha shares what it really means to find your place in the industry. Together, they explore identity, leadership, imposter feelings, communication, burnout, and the importance of showing up authentically, especially for young people navigating engineering today. Honest, reflective, and energising, this episode is a powerful reminder that engineering is as much about people and perspective as it is about technical skill.

In this episode of the Engineering Talent Podcast, Fayon sits down with Shohail Ismail to explore what it really takes to build confidence, find your voice, and create opportunity, not just for yourself, but for others too. Shohail shares how growing up in an area with limited opportunity shaped his drive to make engineering feel fairer and more accessible, why asking questions is one of the most powerful skills you can develop, and the mindset shift that helps you be brave, be bold, and back your own potential. A motivating conversation about talent, resilience, and taking that leap, even when self-doubt kicks in.

In this first episode of the Engineering Talent Podcast, we sit down for an inspiring conversation about breaking into engineering, overcoming self-doubt, and finding confidence when you don’t see many people like you in the industry. From navigating early career choices to embracing opportunities without having everything figured out, this episode is packed with honest reflections, motivational advice, and encouragement for anyone starting out or changing direction. If you’ve ever questioned whether engineering is “for you,” this is your reminder to take the leap, back yourself, and just go for it.