Construction leaders unite to attract and promote more women into sector boardrooms 

Acivico Group, the Birmingham-based built environment consultancy, which is led by a female managing director, gathered female leaders from across the region’s construction industry to an event in Brindleyplace yesterday (7th March) to mark International Women’s Day.

Women from firms including Willmott Dixon, Morgan Sindall, Galliford Try and Speller Metcalfe were brought together by Marina Robertson, managing director of Acivico Group to discuss their career journeys and how to encourage more women into the sector - and into the boardroom.

The majority of experiences reported by the group were positive.

From being made to feel part of teams on-site to support, mentorship and sponsorship within their organisations. But the need to do more to attract, retain and promote women into the boardroom was highlighted by everyone.  

Marina Robertson said: “Hearing the stories of female leaders from across our sector, it is clear that construction is becoming a place for women to build successful and long term careers. Mentors, sponsorship and being championed by senior colleagues have all contributed, but there is more to do.

“Many talked about ‘falling’ into the sector after careers in fields as far removed as drama, chemistry and law. None had known about the opportunities available in construction. We need to do much more to educate and raise awareness to help young women find out about the sector and what they can achieve in it.”

“There was a clear appetite for more. Bringing together women to discuss shared challenges, identify ways around them and champion each other is so important. I am committed to seeing real outcomes from today’s discussions. It is important that we move forward and make marginal but important gains over time.”

Demonstrating the unique importance of female leadership networks and mentoring, the group has committed to creating a quarterly forum - to share ideas, experiences and practical help for women in the industry.

The firms represented at the event are part of Constructing West Midlands, a suite of OJEU-compliant, publicly owned and managed frameworks. CWM is a ready-made delivery vehicle for capital, repair and maintenance works. 

The firms in attendance included Galliford Try, Wilmott Dixon, GF Tomlinson, Interclass, Morgan Sindall, ISG, Speller Metcalfe and Seddon.

Pictured from left to right: Esme Baraclough (Galliford Try), Amy Kelly (GF Tomlinson), Tracey Swift (GF Tomlinson), Phillipa Lean (ISG), Caitlin Hughes (Wilmott Dixon), Jennie Hennessey (Wilmott Dixon), John Collier (Morgan Sindall), Marina Robertson (Acivico Group), Lyndsay Harris (Acivico Group), Karina Connolly (Morgan Sindall), Sara Barnes (Interclass), Satina Virk (ISG), Kim Davies (Speller Metcalfe), Jess Munn (Speller Metcalfe), Alice Hagley (Galliford Try), Andrea Wilson (Seddon)