What made you want to work in the highways and transport sector?

I never really set out to work in transport. I was quite intentional in the early stage of my career to follow my interests and through finding out what I enjoyed (or didn't) and where I felt I was able to practice my values, I found myself in sustainable transport. I always say that I haven't found another space where I can apply myself and make as significant a positive impact, so i've stuck with it for seven years so far.

What would you say is your career highlight so far?

It's a tricky question, some of the best things that have happened to me in my career wouldn't really be classified as highlights. It's been true for me that i've learned the most from the toughest times and lessons.

From a more positive perspective, all the best moments have included good relationships or genuine connections. In that vein the amazing attendance and warmth of all the people that joined our recent 'soft launch' event for Loud Mobility was an incredible moment.

What advice would you give someone just beginning their career in the highways and transportation sector?

Aside from following your interests and always checking in with your values, as this has served me so well, look for what needs changing and set about it. The sector is in desperate need of new perspectives, innovation and disruption. We will not see a zero carbon future without this. There is a lot to achieve in transportation and it has rich opportunity to explore interests spanning across public health, placemaking, tech, community impact and more. It's an incredible sector to work in because it's so far reaching yet you are able to see immediate and direct impact from your work and where you choose to contribute.

Why is intersectional talent so crucial to the sector?

It's crucial to every sector, the evidence is clear, diverse teams perform better on every metric of success. We have some serious gaps to bridge, we are behind and will continue to lag if we don't make the sector a more inviting and accommodating space for different cultures, backgrounds, viewpoints and ideas. Moreover, this sector has the ability to impact peoples lives greatly, it's decisions made here that enable access to work, education and community. If we want to see an equitable system, we need to see that in same equity in who makes the decisions that form it.

What impact do you think STEM programs have on the number of women and minorities entering the industry?

This wasn't my pathway and I think it's important to acknowledge that this is not exclusively a technical industry. It's also a bit of a catchall - what's to say women from specific neighbourhoods, cultures or socio economic circumstances are accessing these opportunities. Having gender focused pathways is key, so I fully support more of these opportunities being made available, especially where intersectional barriers are addressed.

Do you think your race affects the work you do? / if so how?

Yes. My race affects who I am and how I experience the world. This is fundamental to how I work within it.

With the theme of black history month being saluting our sisters, feel there are enough people at your level who look like you?

There are not. This is the case in every other month of the year too. The few of us that have fought our way in are being tasked with too much of the work that needs to take place to resolve these issues. We need to see the many cis-gender white male leaders taking accountability, speaking on these topics, highlighting the women of colour who have supported their careers, and making proactive steps to addressing the culture that has excluded them for so long.

What do you think leaders need to be thinking about or doing today that perhaps wasn’t part of the equation for leaders five or ten years ago?

If you are not addressing your impact on the planet, we may not have one.

Georgia Yexley, Founder of Loud Mobility

Georgia is a passionate, vocal and experienced inclusive active travel advocate, and an influential voice in the micromobility industry. 

In her work across three leading micromobility operators (boasting two 'unicorns', three acquisitions and one IPO) she has worked with hundreds of cities across the globe on their active and sustainable transport aims. 

Georgia recently stepped down from her role leading global giant TIER Mobility's e-scooter and e-bike operations across the UK and Ireland, launching her consultancy Loud Mobility. 

Shifting her focus to driving forward purpose-led and benefit focused transport strategies across the private, public and charitable sectors.

Loud Mobility is on a mission to make sustainable mobility more inclusive. Find out more here

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