As we celebrate Women in Construction Week, it’s important to acknowledge both the progress made and the challenges that remain in building a more inclusive construction industry. Currently, women make up 14% of the UK construction workforce, with only 2% working as site operatives. Additionally, just 9.2% of the highest-paid roles in construction are held by women, while 29% are in the lowest-paid quartile.
At b&m, we are proud to be part of the change. With a workforce that is currently 38% female, we are committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything we do. As a certified B Corp, we hold ourselves to high standards of social and environmental responsibility, making it especially meaningful that this week also marks B Corp Month.
To celebrate Women in Construction Week, we’re elevating the voices of some of the talented women at b&m, giving them the platform to share their experiences. From breaking into the industry to what still needs to change, their voices provide valuable insights into shaping a more inclusive future for construction.
Entering the industry as a woman
Aqsa Ahmed, Senior Project Surveyor
“I was lucky that my dad was a careers advisor as he was able to introduce me to surveying and explained how it places you at the heart of the construction industry. It was a way to be hands-on without following the more traditional engineering or architecture routes.
When I first considered construction as a career, my teachers didn’t really understand what the profession involved, so I didn’t receive much guidance from them. My family, on the other hand, were very supportive, but they were also aware of how male-dominated the industry is.
That imbalance was clear at university. In my first year, there were only four women in my class of 40 studying Quantity Surveying. By the time I reached my third year, I was the only one left.
When I entered the industry, I was fortunate to join a company that treated me the same as everyone else. Now, I work for a business that champions diversity as part of its ‘& more’ ethos. But despite this, I’ve still encountered unconscious bias from the wider industry. There are also very few women in senior roles, which means there aren’t as many people to look to for guidance.
Being a woman from an ethnic minority in construction adds another layer to the experience. I see myself as a representative, offering a different perspective on many topics. At the same time, I feel a pressure to ‘take up space’ and work against any preconceived bias, as though I have something to prove.”
Balancing a career and motherhood
Emma-Jane Coakley, Project Manager
“Balancing work and parenting is incredibly difficult. I work slightly reduced hours to accommodate school drop-offs and pick-ups, relying on breakfast and after-school clubs, which come at a cost, but it often feels like I’m trying to do a full-time job with a time handicap. The priorities and demands of being a good employee often conflict with those of being a good parent, and it’s hard to achieve balance without compromising one or both.
The reality is that people take career breaks for maternity or paternity leave, and when they return, they juggle trying to be the best at work with being the best parent they can be. It’s a difficult position to be in without burning out, and spare hours are a rarity when you have a family.
When it comes to women entering the construction industry, I do think things are improving. When I was at school (a girls’ grammar) construction was never suggested as a career path. I had no idea how many different roles existed within the industry. It was only after leaving school and shadowing a Building Surveyor that I realised how varied and interesting the work could be. It’s great to see that more young women are now showing an interest and coming to b&m for work experience.
That said, one of the biggest obstacles for women is still the perception of construction as a predominantly male environment. There’s also a general lack of awareness about the range of careers available within the industry.
During my pregnancy and maternity leave, I felt supported, but I worked for a smaller company at the time, so I only received statutory maternity pay. Financially, I would have struggled if it weren’t for my partner’s income. I couldn’t afford to stay on leave beyond nine months, but I was fortunate to return on part-time hours. Every company I’ve worked for since has supported flexible working, which has been invaluable, though I’m not sure if this is the case industry-wide.
Now that my daughter is in school, I’ve increased my hours, but school holidays, especially the summer, are still a challenge.”
Bias working on the construction site
Charlotte Thomas, Project Surveyor
“There is still a great deal of bias within the industry, and construction remains male-dominated. Before I worked at b&m I worked on-site, where I often felt my experience was dismissed, especially in technical roles. Site work is definitely looked down upon, and it’s assumed that only men can excel in those positions. I was one of the only people on-site with a degree, but despite that, the men I worked with had more hands-on experience. I learned a lot from them, but I was often relegated to menial tasks like paperwork, simply because the men couldn’t or wouldn’t do it.
When I moved to b&m, I hoped for a better experience, but the bias didn’t completely disappear. While b&m’s environment was more supportive, the general culture of the construction industry followed, for example when working with those from site-side. In the office, my skills are far more acknowledged, but I still face moments where my input is potentially undervalued just because I am a woman.
In my early days as a Site Manager, people often mistook me for a health and safety inspector or an administrator. I was told I didn’t have the authority to manage my site, despite being in charge. Thankfully, I had a leadership team that supported me, but it wasn’t always smooth sailing. Eventually, I earned the respect of my site team, but it wasn’t easy.
While I loved the fast-paced work on-site, when a supportive director left and was replaced by someone less interested in equal opportunity, I decided it was time to leave. The bias is prevalent, and it’s a challenge for women in any industry, not just construction. Until leadership truly values diversity and equality, the bias will continue to limit opportunities for women.”
What women are bringing to the table
Cathy Moyo, Assistant Project Surveyor
“I stepped into the industry because I saw women like me thriving. That representation mattered – it gave me the confidence to believe that if they could do it, so could I.
One of the biggest strengths women bring to construction is communication and collaboration. This industry relies on strong relationships, and women naturally excel at building connections and handling conversations with emotional intelligence. That ability to navigate relationships diplomatically makes a real difference in how projects run.
Having more women and diversity in general challenges the status quo. New perspectives drive positive change, whether that’s pushing for better flexible working policies, improved maternity and paternity leave, or a more inclusive workplace. In an industry where mental health has often been brushed aside, diversity helps create a healthier, more supportive work culture which benefits everyone.
Speaking as a mother, multitasking is second nature. Women bring not just a fresh mindset, but also the ability to juggle multiple moving parts while keeping everything on track, something that’s essential in construction.”
Anticipating a more inclusive future
Ria Carr, Senior Project Surveyor
“It is still more typical than not to look around the room in meetings or on-site and notice that I am the only woman. But despite this, I have never been made to feel any different from my male colleagues. Attitudes toward women in construction have shifted in a positive way. While there is still a long way to go, there are now more opportunities for women in the industry than ever before.
As a B Corp, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion are core values, and this focus is making a real impact. We’ve been working on early engagement such as raising awareness of the different roles within construction and increasing the visibility of the women in those roles. This effort is already paying off, reflected in the rise of work experience placements and apprentice recruitment. We are also continuously reviewing and improving company policies to ensure they support diversity and inclusion.
Looking ahead, I hope to see more women in leadership positions, running companies and shaping the future of the industry. Addressing the barriers that impact career progression is critical, and I believe the industry as a whole must come together to create meaningful change.”
The experiences shared by these talented b&m women highlight just how important a shift towards a more diverse construction industry is. From breaking down biases and pushing for greater representation, to balancing the demands of career and family, their insights show the resilience and determination of women in this industry.
At b&m, we believe that change is near, but it can only happen if we all make a commitment to challenge outdated perspectives and champion the brilliant women within our industry. We look forward to being part of a more diverse construction landscape, and we’re confident that as the stories shared above prove, the women shaping the construction industry today are already paving the way for the young women who will follow.
