On International Women’s Day, Taunton Deane MP Rebecca Pow was invited to visit technology-based business Novanta, in Taunton. The company is a global leader in the manufacture of highly engineered ‘mirrors’. They have enabled a whole range of technologies particularly in the medical field, for example, their synchrotron mirrors are used in proton therapy machines which are used in the treatment of brain cancer.

Historically, women are underrepresented within the engineering sector and Rebecca spoke with the female employees about their specialist work and experiences in this field.

Local MP Rebecca Pow said: “Novanta is a much-valued high-tech business in our constituency and I am extremely proud of it. It is clear that these women are an important part of the workforce in what is a high-tech science and engineering based business. I want to pay tribute to both those who I met and the company who are embracing women in many roles. I’d like to encourage more women to consider employment within this sector taking advantage of the many routes in, whether from degree level or in-work apprenticeships. I am pleased that Somerset is increasingly being recognised as an attractive location for high-tech enterprises which will only increase with the recent investment in the Gravity electrical battery site which is already spawning other related business and industries in the area.”