In the worlds of STEM, “representation” isn’t a box to tick, it’s our competitive edge.
Why? Because of diversity of thought. When you bring together different life experiences and radical problem-solving styles, that “innovation ceiling” doesn’t just crack, it vanishes.
Diverse teams don’t only see a problem; they see it from ten different angles. This cognitive variety helps us build more robust solutions and spot the risks that a “same-think” group would totally miss.
Our financial health and global growth aren’t just managed; they’re engineered. Our CFO, Beth Abbott-Stratford, balances the high-stakes world of global finance with a fierce commitment to inclusive leadership.
“The research is clear – businesses with diverse leadership teams perform better. At WASE, we ensure that we build diverse teams throughout the organisation as we believe that drives our success: Diversity of thought is our fuel.
It’s what allows us to challenge the norm, optimise our operations, and drive the smarter, more sustainable business decisions required to scale a Series A company. I’m incredibly proud to lead a Business Operations team of brilliant women, proving every day that when you invest in diverse leadership, you’re investing in a resilient future.” Beth Abbott-Startford, CFO
Dr Laura Porcu, our Head of R&D
“Innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It happens when different perspectives collide and boundaries are pushed. After 15 years in R&D, navigating the traditionally male-dominated world of Chemical Engineering, I’ve seen firsthand how vital it is to have diverse voices at the table. By ensuring women are represented at every level, from our junior researchers to our executive team, we make sure WASE looks at the world through a wide-angle lens, not a peephole.” Dr Laura Porcu, Head of R&D
Life doesn’t stop at 9:00am, and neither does brilliance. Whether it’s family, passion project, or just allowing yourself to work when your brain is actually firing on all cylinders, we’ve built the framework to make it work.
Weekly Fluidity. Life happens fast. We empower our team to shift their hours during the week so they can stay balanced, productive, and sane.
Core Hours over “Desk Time”. We’re a results-driven crew. We care about your output, not how long you’ve been sitting in a chair.
The 10-till-3 Flow. Whether it’s the school run or a morning gym session, we bake flexibility into the day.
Voices from the Lab
Our scientists are the engine room of WASE. Here’s what it’s like to innovate at the intersection of gender, science, and a culture that gets it.
Sadie Hadrill, Research Assistant
“WASE has given me the opportunity to explore areas beyond my field and gain new skills alongside a supportive science team. I’m trusted to learn, take ownership and contribute to our research and development strategy, which is incredibly rewarding.”
Michelle Waters, Research Assistant
“My unique way of solving a mechanical hurdle, or ensuring strong data is captured, is actually valued, with the fresh perspective it gives. Having so many women in our lab creates a culture of mentorship that is honestly rare in the STEM world.“
Emma Crossley, Research Assistant
“Being a woman in science often means navigating a space not originally built for you. At WASE, that narrative is completely different. Working in a majority female lab empowers me to confidently challenge ideas, collaborate openly, and conduct world-class research.”
Looking Ahead
International Women’s Day is a great checkpoint for how far we’ve come, but at WASE, it’s also the blueprint for where we’re going. We’re going to keep championing flexibility, pushing for diversity, and betting on the undeniable brilliance of women in leadership and science.
Happy International Women’s Day to the incredible women of WASE! Let’s keep building.
Join the Mission
Do you want to build the future with us? We are always looking for bold thinkers, problem solvers, and innovators to join our ecosystem—whether you’re a scientist, an engineer, or a strategist.
If you’re looking for a culture that values your perspective and respects your life outside of work, we want to hear from you.
📩 Send a prospective CV and a note about what you do to careers@wase.co.uk and let’s stay in touch.
