Tracey Barber | Manchester, UK
Head of Diversity and Inclusion

Thirteen years ago, I joined the rail industry, not fully realising that it would become both my career and my purpose. From the beginning, I was drawn to rail because of its ability to connect people, communities, and opportunity. But as I built my career, I also saw an industry with enormous potential to become more inclusive, representative, and reflective of the diverse communities it serves. I saw talented people whose voices were not always heard, individuals who did not always feel they belonged, and systems that sometimes created barriers rather than opportunities. That was when I knew I wanted my impact in rail to be about more than operational success—I wanted to help create an industry where everyone could thrive.
Throughout my career, I have always believed that inclusion is not simply about representation; it is about creating environments where people feel safe, valued, respected, and empowered to bring their whole selves to work. I have never been afraid to challenge the status quo, ask difficult questions, or push for change when I know people deserve better.
When I joined LNER as Senior EDI Business Partner, one of my first major challenges was reviewing our colleague inclusion networks. While they had been created with the right intentions, engagement had significantly declined, colleagues were not connecting with them, and they were no longer delivering the impact they were designed to achieve. I made the difficult but necessary decision to close every network and start again.
It was a bold step, but I knew that if inclusion was going to mean something, it had to be authentic, relevant, and built around the needs of our people. I started by listening—holding honest conversations with colleagues across the business, hearing their experiences, understanding the barriers they faced, and learning what inclusion truly meant to them.
From those conversations, I rebuilt LNER’s inclusion infrastructure from the ground up. Together, we created thriving colleague networks supporting women, ethnic diversity, LGBTQ+ colleagues, neurodivergent colleagues, parents and carers, men’s wellbeing, and the armed forces community. What began as a complete reset has become one of the proudest achievements of my career. These networks now give colleagues a platform, a community, and a voice—helping shape policies, influence leadership decisions, and create a culture where people genuinely feel they belong.
Over the years, I have been proud to see the measurable impact of this work. Female representation has grown, internal progression opportunities have become more equitable, and colleague engagement and inclusion scores have continued to improve. But for me, the greatest measure of success is hearing colleagues say they finally feel seen, heard, and able to be themselves at work.
I have always believed that inclusion should shape not only colleague experience but customer experience too. One of the initiatives I am most proud to have helped deliver was an industry-first onboard programme providing sanitary products for customers. It challenged stigma, addressed a real customer need, and demonstrated how inclusive thinking can create practical, meaningful change.
My passion for inclusion extends far beyond my own organisation. I firmly believe the rail industry becomes stronger when we collaborate, share learning, and challenge each other to do better. I have worked closely with Network Rail and other train operating companies to deliver collaborative Pride celebrations, creating visible support for LGBTQ+ colleagues and communities across the rail network. I have also been proud to support Women in Rail initiatives, including the Never Mind the Gap programme, helping create mentoring, development, and career opportunities for women across transport.
As Chair of Women in Rail South and Co-Chair of the Rail EDI Charter, I continue to work across the sector to influence change, challenge outdated thinking, and encourage organisations to remove barriers and embrace diverse thinking.
Looking back on the last 13 years, I feel proud of what has been achieved, but I also know there is still more to do. My mission remains the same as when I first joined rail—to help create an industry where every person, regardless of background, identity, or lived experience, feels seen, heard, valued, and able to succeed.
For me, inclusion is not just my profession—it is my purpose.