Interview with Anamika Sawarkar: Keep Your Mind Open and Embrace New Challenges

Anamika Sawarkar is Sales Director for Europe, Africa and India at Trench Group, working with utilities, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) firms, as well as industrial customers across diverse markets. She talks about the changing high-voltage industry, her international career path, the value of cultural diversity and how staying open-minded can help you continue to grow.

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You’re responsible for sales at Trench Group in Europe, Africa and India. What does that look like day-to-day, and how do you navigate that complexity?

I work with teams and customers across a large region, so I need to stay close to the individual markets and understand what drives customers and the sector.

The high-voltage industry has changed significantly over the past three to four years. Demand has reached a level the industry has never experienced before, so we have to respond quickly and remain flexible. My team and I provide customers with timely answers, advice and guidance, while also plan strategically for reliable growth.

Working across different markets requires to understand the culture and the people you’re dealing with. This is essential for building strong relationships and finding the right approach for each customer.

You need to understand the culture and the people you’re dealing with.

After your Master’s in Electrical Engineering, you began your career in the graduate programme of a global technology company and had several positions before joining Trench – was there a key moment along the way that shaped your career path?

I joined the graduate programme because I wanted to work with people and gain insights into different areas of business. Over the course of two years, I completed three assignments: first at the headquarters of the company, then at a factory in Mexico and finally in sales in Germany.

At the headquarters, I learned how decisions are made at a central level. In the factory, I saw how the products were made, worked with customers and supported testing. That gave me a better understanding of how the business works in practice.

After returning to Germany, I was given responsibility from the beginning and encouraged to give presentations in German and meet customers myself. I was fortunate to have managers who trusted me and supported my development.

You grew up in India and now live and work in Berlin. What did that transition – both culturally and professionally – do to you, and how does working across cultures and markets every day shape your leadership?

I first came to Germany as a cultural exchange student when I was 14. I lived with a German family for eleven months, learned German and experienced what it meant to adapt to a new culture at a young age. India itself is incredibly diverse, so I was already familiar with different perspectives and ways of life. Germany then felt like a natural choice for my Master’s degree.

Today, I work with a highly international team. This diversity enriches our everyday work, helps us approach challenges from different perspectives, and shapes my leadership style. Some colleagues appreciate clear structures and regular guidance, while others work best when they are given a goal and the freedom to find their own way. My responsibility is to recognize these individual strengths and create the right conditions for people to develop.

Whether it’s CIGRE Paris or customer meetings in different countries, your’re a lot on the road. How do you handle that, and how do you manage to keep things in balance?

Travel is an important part of my role, and I enjoy meeting customers and colleagues in different countries. It gives me a direct understanding of the markets and helps strengthen professional relationships.

Balance is a very personal concept. There may be periods when I travel frequently, followed by quieter phases when I can focus on other priorities. Planning helps me organize my work and personal life, while clear communication is important for my team and the people close to me.

As a woman in a leadership role in the high-voltage industry, you’re often one of the few in the room. What would you tell a young woman who’s just starting out in her career in the energy sector today?

When I studied electrical engineering in India, having women in the classroom was completely normal. Later, in Germany, I experienced a different environment. Since then, I have often been one of the few women in the room.

That has shown me how important role models, mentors and personal networks are. Earlier in my career, I rarely saw women with a similar background or career path to look up to. That is why I encourage younger colleagues to find a mentor or an ally, regardless of gender.

Technical expertise is an important foundation, but communication and emotional intelligence are equally valuable. Focus on your strengths, stay open to new opportunities and do not be afraid to take on things that scare you – you can continue learning along the way.

We are part of an ecosystem and a product family that helps electrify the world.

The high-voltage industry is highly specialized and often not very visible to the end consumer. What are you especially proud of at Trench Group – and what motivates you in your job every day?

High-voltage engineering is highly specialized, yet fundamental to modern life. We are part of an ecosystem and a product family that helps electrify the world. Everything around us – from artificial intelligence and machine learning to medicine and social media – depends on electricity. It is exciting to know that our work contributes to this infrastructure.

At Trench Group, I also especially value the sense of ownership. When someone has an idea and it is approved, they are trusted to take responsibility for bringing it to life.