Finding engineering later in life
Unlike many engineers, Danah was not the child who spent her days dismantling gadgets or rebuilding bicycles.
"In engineering, you often meet people who were taking apart Game Boys and fixing things from a young age," she says. “That wasn't me at all.”
Instead, the inspiration came in her late teens while working in bars and pubs, where she regularly met tradespeople.
“The people who seemed to be enjoying life the most were the engineers and tradespeople. They seemed free, they enjoyed their work and they always seemed to have interesting lives. I was curious about what they were doing.”
Initially working as an electrician, Danah studied in the evenings at the College of North-West London, one of the few colleges in the capital offering refrigeration and air conditioning courses. It allowed her to continue working while building the qualifications she needed to progress.
Now 41, she reflects that she could have entered engineering much earlier.
“If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would be to go for it sooner. Don't hold yourself back. If something interests you, explore it and see where it takes you.”
Importantly, Danah is keen to challenge the perception that there is a particular type of person destined for engineering.
"I think I had a very ordinary female upbringing. I wasn't someone people would have looked at and said, 'She's definitely going to be an engineer.' That's why I think it's important for other women to know that you don't have to fit a stereotype. Engineering is for far more people than most realise."
Why FläktGroup?
After building a successful engineering career, Danah was attracted to FläktGroup for several reasons.
The opportunity to work for a manufacturer appealed immediately.
“It means there's equipment to work on in-house and that's something I really liked. I was also excited about moving further into cooling systems and HVAC technology.”
What particularly stood out was the company's focus on innovation and sustainability.
"I was attracted by the fact that FläktGroup embraces new technologies, including software and digital solutions. That's an area of engineering I find fascinating. Environmental issues also matter a lot to me personally, so working for a company that's helping customers reduce energy use and improve efficiency was a big attraction."
Life as a Service Engineer
Based in London but employed through FläktGroup's Hereford operation, Danah covers sites across the capital, often working independently throughout the day.
Most days begin with loading tools into her van before heading into central London.
“You'll usually find me in a bank's server room, an archive or a large student accommodation building. Every day is different.”
Once on site, she assesses the equipment, checks systems, identifies potential issues and carries out inspections before reporting back to customers.
While the technical work is important, Danah believes professionalism is equally critical.
"The impression you create is always important. The technical details are interesting to a relatively small group of people. The way you conduct yourself, communicate and look after your customer matters just as much."
Being FläktGroup UK's female engineer
Danah is currently the only female engineer working within FläktGroup UK, but she says the experience has been overwhelmingly positive.
"I probably notice it less than anyone else does," she laughs, agreeing that customers are often surprised when she arrives on site.
"They do a double take sometimes. People naturally expect an engineer to be male because that's what they're used to seeing.”
Yet any surprise quickly turns into curiosity and conversation.
"People ask how I got into engineering and what attracted me to it. I've honestly never received a negative reaction. The response from customers, colleagues and even tutors during my training has always been warm and supportive.”
She is quick to praise her fellow engineers and the wider business.
“The support from my engineering colleagues has been fantastic. FläktGroup has shown confidence in me, and I think that's really important.”
Challenging the stereotypes
One subject Danah feels strongly about is encouraging more women to consider careers in engineering.
She believes many potential engineers are discouraged because they don't fit traditional stereotypes.
“People worry that engineering is all about physical strength or that you need years of experience using tools before you can get started. Neither of those things is true.”
According to Danah, many boys grow up being handed tools by fathers, uncles and older brothers, while girls are often not given the same opportunity. But she says that should never be seen as a barrier.
“Just because you haven't held a spanner by the time you're 18 or 20 doesn't mean engineering isn't for you.”
She also believes many traditionally female strengths translate naturally into engineering.
"We're good at solving problems, collaborating and working things out. Those skills are incredibly valuable in engineering."
Happy to be a cog in the machine
When asked what motivates her most, Danah offers an answer shaped by experience. Earlier in her career, she admits she wanted to stand out. Today, her perspective is very different.
“What motivates me now is simply being a good cog in the machine.”
Whether she's working with fellow engineers or performing with her steel band, she believes success comes from contributing effectively rather than seeking the spotlight.
“The best results happen when everyone plays their part and does it well. You don't need to be the star of the show. Just do your bit, do it properly and help the whole thing run smoothly.”
It is a philosophy that seems to capture Danah perfectly: practical, grounded and focused on teamwork.
And as more women consider careers in engineering, she hopes her story proves one simple point.
“You don't have to fit a stereotype to become an engineer. If you're interested, give it a go. Don't hold yourself back.”
For Danah, engineering has provided exactly what she was looking for all those years ago when she first met tradespeople who seemed to love what they did. It has given her variety, independence, continual learning and the satisfaction of solving problems every day. Most importantly, it has shown that there is no single route into engineering and no single type of person who belongs there.
