I think that girls of a school age need to understand that a career in construction is a possibility. The stigma of it being just for men it out of date. There needs to be more education to promote that it doesn’t just mean being a bricklayer or out on site, there are so many opportunities for women to succeed, do well and make a difference to communities.”

Zara Barrow, Group Construction Director

The construction industry is such an exciting one to be in. It’s not just about jobs on site physically building the homes, there’s the land and planning side, technical and commercial, marketing and customer service roles all available. As sales director, I liaise with all departments and really enjoy how varied my job is. There are so many options and opportunities and there needs to be more women coming through in a range of roles. The old way of thinking of construction being a man’s world needs to be shifted and this is something parents need to be aware of too so they can encourage their children to follow their dreams and have the knowledge of all the roles available to women too.”

Anna Evans-Kerr, Sales Director NW division 

Having more women in the industry will benefit a business hugely because it means there’s a wider range of views and approaches to solving problems. I think it’s equally important for businesses to highlight women working in a wide range of roles to inspire the next generation – construction is more than just working on site. Before I joined Redrow, I didn’t know my role existed so providing as much knowledge as possible about job roles is still very much needed.”

Nora Dow, Senior Land Manager Southern Counties division

At the site I’m working on, I’m the only woman and that surprised me. One thing I’ve heard a lot since starting my apprenticeship is that I bring a new level of attention to detail and organisation. Women are more than capable of
completing apprenticeships and working on a construction site. And the more women that are seen doing it, the more others will realise they can do it too.”

Jennifer Kehoe, Construction Apprentice

I didn’t want to conform to society’s set rules of what women should or shouldn’t do, that’s clearly reflected in my choice of apprenticeship. What really drives me is that I am breaking down barriers, helping women succeed in a male dominant industry, and proving people wrong. My advice? Take the jump and go for it.”

Tashai Simms, Apprentice

Due to the relatability in the experiences and challenges women face, it can be easier to seek the support of another woman because of better understanding. Through initiatives like the Mentoring Scheme, I have been able to share experiences, gain representation and advice on my career journey, as well as constant encouragement. I believe that mentorship and other forms of support networks are really effective and have been a source of motivation for me during my time at Redrow.”

Zarah Durowoju, Graduate Trainee