About
At BAE Systems, we help our customers to stay a step ahead when protecting people and national security, critical infrastructure and vital information. We provide some of the world’s most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions and employ a skilled workforce of around 100,000 people in more than 40 countries.

This webinar, The Power of Perspectives: Inclusion in Engineering, brings together a panel of engineers from diverse backgrounds. Through personal stories and open conversation, our panellists will share their unique journeys into engineering, the challenges they faced, and the barriers they overcame. Attendees will gain insight into how inclusion fuels creativity, strengthens teams, and drives real-world impact in the engineering field.

Engineering thrives on innovation and innovation flourishes in diverse environments. Learn how diverse perspectives strengthen teams, spark creativity, and shape the future of engineering.

Whether you’re an engineering leader, student, or professional seeking to foster a more inclusive environment, this session will provide inspiration, practical takeaways, and a deeper understanding of how different perspectives shape the future of engineering.
When
Wednesday, September 17, 2025 · 3:00 p.m. London (GMT +1:00)
Presenters
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Melanie Galbraith
Air Engineering Capability Lead
Melanie joined the RAF in 1984, qualifying as only the 8th female Junior Technician (Airframe). Over almost 27 years, she attained the rank of Flight Sergeant - a manager employed across the Airframe, Engines, Electrical and Avionics trades. Nine bases (two overseas), ten aircraft, two South Atlantic deployments and two children later, Melanie moved to Lancashire when her husband joined BAE Systems. Melanie also joined the company in 2012, working mainly in Typhoon Support; currently working in the Air Engineering Function as a Capability Lead ensuring the engineers have the People, Processes, Infrastructure, Technology, Training and Data to deliver on their contracts.
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Kennedy Assoumou
Central Government Business Analyst
Kennedy Assoumou serves as Business Analyst at BAE Systems Digital Intelligence on the Home Office's Biometric Integration Programme within the Migration and Borders Technology Portfolio. His role involves mapping current-state biometrics across complete user journeys to build comprehensive system views. As an AI enthusiast and product lead for the innovative Synthetic Client tool, he bridges technical analysis with strategic insight. Kennedy brings six years of consulting expertise in digital transformation, specialising in government product development. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-founding Ideaslab, a global online community for student entrepreneurs. This combination positions him to deliver meaningful solutions across complex digital programmes.
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Helen Cumming
Senior Weight Engineer
Based in Glasgow, Helen is a weights engineer, responsible for monitoring the weight on the Hunter Class Frigate, from the design, through the build, to delivery. This is the Australian version of the Royal Navy’s Type 26 frigate.
Helen’s non-linear career started in computer science via the UCAS Clearing process, dropping out and transferring to information and library studies. After failing that degree, she found herself working in Engineering in information management. Several years pass and she wanted to explore a more technical career path by starting night classes for a mechanical engineering HNC, with support from employers, she continued to study while gaining real-world experience. Despite initially not being aware of her neurodiversity, she still gained an HNC, a first-class honours degree in mechanical engineering (with a dyslexia diagnosis in 4th year), a postgraduate certificate in defence simulation and modelling, Chartered Engineer status (within a month of receiving her ADHD diagnosis), and all this created a path to her current role.
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Jason Ford
News editor The Engineer
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