Marlie Packer, HomeServe plumber and England World Cup winning rugby star, has been named as a role model for female engineers by WISE.

Announced to celebrate International Women’s Day 2018, Marlie will begin working with the team from WISE to challenge stereotypes and promote careers in science, technology and engineering to young women.

“It hasn’t always been easy,” Marlie said. “But I love being a plumber and I love playing rugby for my country. I wouldn’t change it for the world. When I left school, I knew that I wasn’t going to work in an office, sitting in front of a computer. That might be for some people but it just wasn’t for me.

“I did some labouring during the summer and loved it. Two years later I was a qualified plumber and I haven’t looked back since.”

She continued: “It’s such an honour to sign up with WISE as a role model. The work they do is incredibly valuable and makes such a difference to young women who might want to pursue a career in science, technology or engineering but not know how to go about it. I can help them find their pathway in life and show people just what a brilliant job being a plumber is.”

Greg Reed, CEO of HomeServe Membership, added: “Marlie is a brilliant ambassador for HomeServe as well as being a fantastic plumber. She inspires us whether she’s holding her tools or her rugby ball and I know she’ll do the same in this role with WISE.”

WISE enables and energises people in business, industry and education to increase the participation, contribution and success of women in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

For more information about WISE, visit www.wisecampaign.org.uk.