In this episode of the Exec Exchange and 1st of a 3-part series of 'Women in Water', host Piers Clark speaks with Joanne Kay, General Manager for Wastewater Operations at Scottish Water, about gender diversity and DEI as a strategy for sustaining the water workforce. Joanne shares her career path to taking her general manager post during COVID and explains Scottish Water’s national role serving around 6 million people across urban, rural, and island communities with challenges from transient populations. She outlines current gender imbalances in operations, and discusses barriers such as STEM pipelines, shift patterns, and caregiving expectations. Joanne also shares a close personal story tied to the importance of the representation and visibility of role models in the sector. The conversation also covers menopause impacts at peak career stages and the need for employers to adapt working environments. Joanne argues that flexible operations and inclusive practices can help address looming retirements and meet changing expectations from Millennials and Gen Z.
