March is Women's History Month - a time to celebrate the contributions women have made throughout history and continue to make today. The theme for 2025 is Moving Forward Together! Women Educating and Inspiring.
At Electrical Safety First, we're proud to spotlight the incredible women who are shaping the future of our industry. This month, we're excited to feature our public affairs manager, Tara Joe, who has paved her own career path in the world of policy and public affairs.
From navigating challenges to finding inspiration from colleagues, Tara shares her journey in public affairs and what advice she would give to a women looking to pursue a career in this field.
Read the full Q&A below:
Q: Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your role at Electrical Safety First?
A: Hi, I’m Tara – the Public Affairs Manager at Electrical Safety First, where I lead the charity’s public affairs activity in Westminster. My team and I work closely with policy makers, government officials and industry stakeholders to improve electrical safety standards and secure stronger protections for consumers.
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in policy and public affairs?
A: I’ve always had a strong interest in the political landscape and how policy decisions impact people’s everyday lives – but a career in public affairs wasn’t something I had mapped out from the start.
While reading Politics and International Relations at the University of York, I became increasingly aware of how important it was to bridge the gap between decision-makers and the public. Through networking, I was lucky enough to meet mentors in the field which enabled me to work on an election campaign in Washington DC and intern for my local MP. This set me on the path I’m on today.
Q: Were there any key moments that shaped your career?
A: Securing internship opportunities stands out as a major turning point. These opportunities gave me valuable insight into the power of strategic thinking, advocacy and relationship-building in driving meaningful change. These are things that I’ve always loved to do, but it was during this time that I realised the world of public affairs, something I hadn’t even heard of before, would allow me to combine these interests and skills.
Q: This year’s theme for #WomensHistoryMonth is ‘Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.’ How do you think women in policy and public affairs can help to drive positive change and inspire future generations?
A: Representation matters, and when women hold positions of influence, it sends a powerful message that our voices and ideas belong at the decision-making table. To drive positive change, it’s crucial that we uplift others and lead by example - through mentorship, sharing experiences, or creating spaces for emerging voices to be heard.
Q: What challenges have you faced as a woman in this field, and how did you overcome them?
A: Working in this field, like many other male-dominated sectors, comes with its challenges as a woman.
One of the main hurdles I faced early in my career was knowing how to navigate spaces, particularly where I’ve been one of the few women in the room. It took a while to be comfortable in just being myself.
While it can be intimidating to assert your voice, it’s important to be confident – not just in what you say, but in the value you bring to the table, as everyone has something to offer.
I’ve been fortunate enough to work for three uniquely inspiring Chief Executive’s throughout my career, namely Katie Perrior and Jo Tanner during my time in agency, and Lesley Rudd in my current role. I’ve learnt a lot from these brilliant women, and open conversations with them helped me to recognise the importance of focusing on what you’re good at and being yourself whilst doing it.
Q: What advice would you give to women interested in a career in policy and public affairs?
A: My two key pieces of advice would be to invest in your network and to be yourself. This field is as much about relationships as it is about policy, and connecting with people can open doors you didn’t even know existed. It’s important to remember this isn’t just about what others can offer you, it’s about building genuine, two-way relationships. Be curious, listen, and support other women entering the field.
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