Empowered to Excel at BGEN, Part of M Group

At BGEN, part of M Group, creating an environment where people can work safely, feel supported and reach their full potential is fundamental. For Ashley, this culture has enabled her to grow, lead and excel across some of the UK’s most complex and regulated engineering sectors.

With over a decade of experience spanning oil and gas, nuclear and MEICA, Ashley brings strong technical understanding alongside a people led approach. Beginning her career at a young age in high risk environments, she developed resilience early on within a business that prioritises safety, accountability and responsible delivery. 

Safe, Responsible and People Led Leadership 

As a Health and Safety Manager, Ashley’s role goes far beyond policies, procedures and compliance. Her work directly supports M Group’s commitment to protecting people, communities and the environments in which it operates. 

“At its core, health and safety is about people,” Ashley explains. “It is about ensuring everyone goes home safely, feels valued and knows their wellbeing genuinely matters.” Within BGEN and the wider M Group, Ashley is trusted to lead with integrity and professionalism. She is empowered to challenge unsafe practices, drive continuous improvement and promote a proactive safety culture that supports sustainable project delivery. 

This trust enables her to balance clear decision making with empathy, helping teams feel confident, supported and engaged.

Opportunity, Inclusion and Fairness 

Engineering remains a traditionally male dominated industry, and Ashley has faced challenges familiar to many women working in technical roles. However, at BGEN and M Group, opportunity is shaped by capability, performance and commitment.

Ashley has been supported to progress, lead across multiple sites and contribute meaningfully to the organisation’s safety and wellbeing objectives. This inclusive approach aligns with M Group’s focus on fairness, respect and unlocking the potential of a diverse workforce. 

“I have never felt limited here,” Ashley says. “I am valued for what I bring, not labelled by being one of the few women in the room.” 

Supporting Collaboration Across the UK 

Ashley’s role involves significant travel, working with teams across different projects, regions and operational settings. This exposure supports consistent standards, shared learning and strong relationships across the business.

M Group’s collaborative culture plays an important role in enabling this. Open communication and mutual respect allow Ashley to build trust quickly, support teams effectively and embed safety as a shared responsibility. 

“My colleagues feel like an extended community,” she shares. “Those connections are critical. Strong relationships lead to better conversations, better decisions and safer outcomes.” 

Diverse Leadership for a Sustainable Future 

M Group recognises that diverse perspectives strengthen decision making, improve risk management and support long term sustainability. Ashley’s leadership style reflects this belief.

Her approach combines optimism, empathy and confidence, demonstrating that effective engineering leadership can be both compassionate and decisive. By being authentic and visible, she helps challenge outdated norms and supports a more inclusive future for the industry. 

Inspiring the Next Generation 

Ashley is passionate about encouraging more women to pursue careers in engineering and infrastructure. She believes organisations have a responsibility to create environments where people from all backgrounds can succeed. 

“Businesses like BGEN and M Group show what is possible when inclusion, safety and wellbeing genuinely matter,” she says. “When people are supported to be themselves, they do not just succeed individually, they raise standards across the whole industry.” 

Her advice to women considering engineering is clear and heartfelt: 

Be brave, bring your light and be yourself. With the right support around you, you can truly excel.