My name is Gaveesha Hettiarachchi, and I am from Sri Lanka. I have been with Worcester Bosch for four years, starting as an intern in the Heating System Designs team before joining the Manufacturing Department.
After two years as a Production Engineer, I joined the Supply Chain Engineering Projects Team, where I work in an engineering project manager role focused on efficiency improvements, digitalisation, and automation across the supply chain.
I grew up mostly in East Africa, moving around with my family. I have lived in Ethiopia, Tanzania and Kenya before moving to the UK. It’s given me a unique view on where home is.
In my spare time, I like to go on hikes, do crafts, go camping, and I am always looking for the next adventure activity. Next up is skydiving!
My interest in engineering began with a high school design technology project, where I designed and built an educational toy for an 8-year-old child in Tanzania. Taking the project from concept to production showed me how engineering can have a meaningful impact on people’s lives. That experience inspired me to pursue engineering as a career and create solutions that make a difference on a larger scale.
Among my proudest moments is that after only 3 months as a graduate engineer, I was trusted to be the project lead in building a sub-assembly line for our newest production line. The stakes were high and the timeline was short at only 4 months. I was really proud that my project team delivered a high-quality result and that I managed to face all the challenges during the project.
One thing that consistently stood out throughout my career was that I was often the only woman in the room. Early on, this was intimidating, and it took time to build the confidence to speak up in meetings. I found that ideas were more readily accepted when voiced by male colleagues, even when we were making the same points. What helped me most was preparation.
I made it a priority to thoroughly understand the topics being discussed so I could contribute with confidence and credibility. Over time, I built a reputation as someone who was direct, reliable, and focused on delivering results.
Throughout my career at Worcester Bosch, I have been very well supported by my managers. They recognised my work and dedication and have supported my development at every opportunity. I am fortunate that I had, and still have, a strong network of allies in my corner.
In many male-dominated industries, women may encounter assumptions about their abilities or experience, I certainly did at first. My advice is to view being underestimated as an opportunity rather than a disadvantage. Ignore the noise, build trust and let your work speak for itself. Actively seek to be in your stretch zone rather than your comfort zone, question the status quo, and don’t be afraid just because you might be the odd one out in a room. That’s what makes you special.
