A mentoring programme billed as “life changing” for women working in the construction and housebuilding industries has launched to help promote better gender equality.
The programme was launched earlier this month by ‘I am a Housebuilder’, an initiative itself established by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for SME housebuilders.
Under the mentoring scheme, women working in the industry will be paired with senior female leaders from the SME housebuilding sector.
The I am a Housebuilder Mentorship Programme aims to break down barriers to entry, making the housebuilding sector a more inclusive environment in which women can “excel and rise” to senior leadership positions.
The long-term objective of the programme is to increase the number of SME housebuilders, which is claimed would help tackle the skills shortages within the industry and boost housing delivery.
The initiative is spearheaded by the so-called Magnificent Seven; a group of seven women who each run successful SME housebuilding businesses, and who are committed to supporting the next generation of female talent as mentors.
They are: Xuan Meng, founder and director of Cosy Hauz; Charlotte Edwards, managing director, Dennis Edwards Homes; Georgina Hammond, co-founder and director, Beau Property; Sarah Barraclough, managing director, Skipton Properties; Rosey Cassidy, director, Newman Rose; Sophie Horgan, director, Horgan Homes; and Alice Maughan, creative director and designer, Stronghold Homes.
Edwin de Silva, secretariat for the APPG, said: “SME housebuilders have a hugely important role to play in our economy but adverse fiscal conditions have seen their numbers plummet. Opening up the sector to a wider range of talent will foster diversity of perspective and experience, driving innovation and growth.
“There is so much talent that is yet to be tapped into and we hope the mentorship programme will help elevate the next generation of female leaders. Such is the need for the programme that we actually received applications before the launch and have already started work.”
The mentorship programme is sponsored by Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions. The programme is open to women aged 21 or older, who are entitled to work in the UK, and who have at least four years’ experience and/or qualifications in construction or housebuilding.
Abbi Bird, a current mentee, who reached out to the campaign organisers before the mentor scheme launched, said: “When I first saw the I am a Housebuilder campaign I knew I had to be involved. Georgina was based close to me so agreed to mentor me, even before the programme had officially launched. I can safely say it has changed my life. The help and support that I’ve been given from everyone within the programme has been incredible and I could not recommend it highly enough.”
Georgina Hammond, director of Beau Property, and current mentor, added: “Women have been massively under-represented in housebuilding, meaning fewer role models to look up to. I’m a firm believer of the saying ‘if you can see it you can be it’ and our mentorship programme will tackle tired stereotypes, show what success looks like at a senior level for women and demonstrate just how rewarding housebuilding can be as a career choice.”
Ian Winroth, residential sector director at Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions, said: “Ensuring an inclusive environment is a priority for Saint-Gobain, which is reflected in our company’s pledge to reach 30% female executives by 2025.
“Supporting initiatives such as I am a Housebuilder is vitally important for breaking down obstacles to diversity. Women leaving the construction and housebuilding workforce and not ascending to leadership positions or setting up their own business is worsening the talent gap.
“While attracting young talent to the sector is important, it is equally essential to create an inclusive environment to build and sustain a diverse workforce. Inspirational leadership, like that demonstrated by the Magnificent Seven, plays a key role in supporting this goal.”
Main image: Edwin de Silva with Georgina Hammond, and Abbi Bird
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