Myrtle Dawes, Non-Executive Director FirstGroup Board
Reflecting on my career to date, and opportunities for the future
Black History Month (BHM) provides an opportunity to pause, reflect and educate both myself and
others, while also considering the progress that’s been made and what’s still left to overcome.
I think it’s easy to celebrate BHM in the general sense. But when people take the time to focus on
what’s important to them, and take action in that particular area of focus, a stronger impact can be
made.
For me, it’s about celebrating the black scientists, mathematicians and engineers that have shaped
our modern world. What’s important to me is taking action to promote Science, Technology
Engineering and Maths (STEM) initiatives to young people and showcasing the exciting career
opportunities available to them.
I am an engineer, but when I was at school, I didn’t know what engineering was, and it was only
thanks to one of my teachers who encouraged me, that I ended up studying it at university. I suspect
this was partly due to the lack of role models or general STEM education, and that's why I'm so
passionate and involved in promoting STEM and career opportunities for young people now. By
boosting representation, knowledge and opportunity, we can encourage more people to pursue a
career in these fields.
My career to date has been fun and somewhat unexpected. After studying Chemical Engineering, my
first proper job was as an offshore engineer for BP, which marked the start of a career spanning over
30 years, during which I've embraced a wide variety of roles across numerous organisations.
Now, as the CEO of the Net Zero Technology Centre, it's exciting and fulfilling to oversee projects
and collaborations, and work with emerging developers and start-ups, all with innovation at their
core. Nearly half of the technology required to reach net zero by 2050 is not yet commercially
available. That's why our centre's mission is to drive essential technological innovation, influence
policy, and leverage the existing skills and capabilities within the UK energy sector to facilitate a
responsible and affordable transition.
I'm thrilled to apply this experience and knowledge to support other industries. As A Non-Executive
Director on FirstGroup’s Board, I serve on its Responsible Business Committee, which focuses on
safety, sustainability, and corporate responsibility, including the transition to net zero.
When I look back at my career now, through rose tinted glasses, I rarely think of the
barriers. However, I read a piece by a colleague of mine, Euton Gordon, who I worked with in the
same company for years. He gave a sobering account of his experiences and reminded me of the
challenges that I and others went through. I thank him for sharing.
I believe everyone’s career path is different, which is why 1:1 mentoring is key. I am currently a
mentor for the AFBE (Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers). I would encourage those
starting out in their career, and equally, those in more senior roles, to actively seek out mentoring
and networking opportunities whenever available. A single conversation can spark a new wave of
ideas, so it’s crucial to embrace different opinions, perspectives, and attitudes.