Women in Engineering: Claire Motion

Claire, can you please tell is where and how did your engineering journey begin?

It certainly wasn’t a straight line for me. I was working in retail management in my early twenties, but I knew I wanted something more meaningful and hands-on. The turning point came when I tried to change a light fitting at home, knocked out the electrics, and then found myself fascinated by how it all worked. That curiosity pushed me to enrol at college and start training as an electrician.

I have to admit that getting started took persistence. I contacted around 50 businesses and only heard back from two, so resilience became part of my story early on. Once I got my first break, I worked across a range of sites and maintenance roles – some of them really high profile – building technical confidence, adaptability and problem-solving skills.

From there, my career moved into leadership, renewables and then e-mobility. I got into management after proving myself in the field, later worked on large solar portfolios, and then moved into EV infrastructure. That journey eventually led me to Actemium, where I now head up E-Mobility Maintenance.

So what is it exactly that drew you into e-mobility and electrification?

The pace of change. E-mobility is evolving quickly, and there is always something new to learn. I came into it through renewables, but what made me stay is the sense that this sector is helping shape the future of transport and industry.

Looking back, what do you think has shaped you most as an engineer and leader?

Determination played a big part. Those early roles in challenging environments built the confidence in my technical ability. Leadership came later, when I was asked to manage engineers after proving myself in the field. From that point, I started thinking not just about solving problems, but about helping teams perform at their best.

What does your role as Head of E-Mobility Maintenance at Actemium involve currently?

My role is focused on one thing – helping clients achieve high availability across their EV charging infrastructure.

That means building the right teams, processes and service models for planned and reactive maintenance, while improving efficiency and responsiveness. Everything comes back to customer outcomes: reliability, clear accountability and protecting uptime.

You’ve worked on both the charging operator side and the engineering delivery side. How does that shape your view of what customers need?

It certainly gives me a rounded perspective. I understand the operational pressure clients are under and the impact when charging infrastructure is not performing. Uptime, communication and confidence in the maintenance partner really matter, and that is what I want Actemium to be known for.

What do you find most exciting about the future of e-mobility and your work at Actemium?

We are still at the beginning of the e-mobility journey, and that is what makes it exciting. Charging infrastructure is becoming more critical, expectations around availability are rising, and there is a real opportunity to shape services that are fit for the future.

At Actemium, what gets me out of bed in the morning and keeps me going is the chance to build something with long-term value and help customers design, deliver and maintain infrastructure end to end.

What has your experience been like as a woman building a career in engineering?

Engineering is still male-dominated, so early on I had to work hard to get opportunities and prove myself. But once you are in and delivering results, credibility follows. I do think attitudes are changing, though, and the industry is becoming more open to different backgrounds and perspectives.

Finally, what advice would you give to women considering a career in engineering or e-mobility?

Back yourself. Be curious, ask questions and do not be put off if opportunities do not come immediately.

This sector needs skilled people, and if you are willing to learn and keep going, there is a real career and a bright future for you here.