Member Spotlight - Ninarita Williams

In the run up to our own awards next week, we are pleased to be able to celebrate the achievements and hear from one of our other members and previous finalists (YRP 2018), Ninarita Williams.

Ninarita Williams is a Project Manager at Transport for London (TfL) working on the signalling and construction for the +£5bn Four Lines Modernisation Programme (4LM). With a reputation for successfully managing large-scale and influential projects, Ninarita has also managed award-winning projects including the operation to bring cooling and ventilation to underground hotspots on the Jubilee, Bakerloo and Victoria lines. A particularly proud achievement of Ninarita’s was project managing the ground-breaking DCA Sim project set to drastically alter the industry by changing the way trains are tested and maintained. In the last 3 years, Ninarita has have led project teams to save TfL circa. £2.5 million through the implementation of innovative procurement strategies, pro-active value engineering and progressive core-team and supply-chain integration working.

She currently holds one of the YRP judging panel roles for the National Rail Awards and is also an active mentor coaching young people in STEM and has mentored one young person into a higher-level professional role each year for the past three years. Ninarita has recently been announced as the 2020 Rising Star Winner in STEM for the Black British Business Awards!

What attracted you to a career in the rail industry?

I was attracted to a career in rail as I wanted to work in an industry where I could make a social impact. Having used the railway daily and witnessed the impact of ongoing issues first-hand, I wanted to not only understand the cause, but help with the solutions. I wanted to solve everyday rail problems and hopefully contribute to improving the lives of thousands, by finding ways to make their rail journeys better. As a goal-oriented individual who seeks to thrive in high-pressure, dynamic environments; being a Project Manager seemed like a natural career choice.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

As much as I enjoy achieving milestones and reaching the end goal - project completion! – The thing that I enjoy the absolute most about my job is the people I get to work with and meet. I am fortunate enough to work with great people who are passionate about what they do and always pull together to deliver. The amazing amount of knowledge, creativity and intellect that you’re surrounded with in this industry is something to be appreciated - I love that there’s always something new to be learnt.

What is the biggest myth you have encountered about working in the railway?

When I tell people that I work in rail they assume that we spend all hours of the day crawling around in cold, sooty, underground environments. This can be part of the job but’s it’s rare for a PM, as well as many other business functions in rail. Although I do visit my sites weekly, I’m mostly office based. Even when I do go to site it’s never that dirty and I’m in PPE so it’s generally not something I see as an issue. One of my favourite parts of the job is getting stuck in, seeing the everything in-person and being on site!

What advice do you have for someone new to the industry?

1. Embrace the fact that you’re in an industry whereby you won’t know everything and that’s ok. Ask questions without fear.
2. Seek out mentors and role models that you connect with for guidance and support. They have been on the journey and are therefore in a great position to offer valuable insights. There’s a lot you can learn from their mishaps, wins, experiences and general perspective.
3. If a career in rail is what you want don’t be deterred or intimidated by stereotypes – Your presence alone can defy them.
4. Don’t be afraid to be who you are. People tend to appreciate authenticity more than a facade. In addition, being you brings something that no one else can.