Five employees across the Barratt Developments Group have reflected on their experience with workplace diversity over their 60 combined years in the construction industry
Female employees at Hungerford-based David Wilson Homes Southern and Nottingham-based Barratt and David Wilson Homes North Midlands, all part of the Barratt Developments Group, have reflected on their experience with workplace diversity for International Women’s Day.
International Women’s Day is taking place on Wednesday 8th March, and this year’s campaign theme is #EmbraceEquity. Equity recognises that each person has different circumstances, and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that in Q4 of 2022, 2,171,000 people in the UK worked in construction. Out of those people, just 321,000, 14.7% were women.
Sales director Emma and marketing manager Vicky are based in Hungerford
Based in Hungerford, David Wilson Homes Southern is building new homes across Berkshire and Oxfordshire under the Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes brands.
Emma Hawkins joined the developer’s Southern team as sales director last year, and began her role in the industry as a trainee sales adviser in February 2012.
She said: “My dad has always worked in the industry – he talked highly of it and appeared to have great job satisfaction. He encouraged my transition from hospitality to housebuilding, recognising there were a number of skills that would benefit a sales career.
“Whilst I believe more women are joining construction roles, I do also think we are still under represented in senior roles and in the industry’s construction departments specifically, such as in site management.”
Emma added: “It is important to encourage more women into the industry to achieve a more balanced view. It brings an additional and dynamic view in decision making and also enhances the overall behaviour of the business and industry, which allows people to feel they can be their true self.”
Since joining the industry in 2019, Vicky Heyes has quickly worked her way up through the ranks to marketing manager.
Vicky, from Somerset, said: “No two days or weeks are the same in my role. My job varies from planning, budgeting and performance analysis, to managing customer relationship management content, the company website and public relations.
Inclusive environments are key to increasing workplace diversity
Vicky continued: “I think it’s fair to say that the construction industry is still predominantly male, but the culture within the industry is changing – especially within the company.
“At Barratt and David Wilson Homes, we have an ‘under one roof’ gender equality forum and catalyst programme, designed for women wanting to go into management.
“There’s a culture of development and improvement within the company which is fully supported by human resources on a national level. There’s also a culture of inclusiveness, and if you need any additional help, line managers are always willing to provide their support. There are also bi-annual performance development reviews, but of course employees can raise anything before then.
“It is important to encourage more women into the industry to show future generations that there are always roles available for them – plus there’s more to construction than being out on site building houses.
“As a woman, I feel that my career ambitions are fully supported and is evidenced so far in my own progression. Plus, it’s nice to see that we have a growing cohort of female site managers.”
The Nottingham team discussed how workplace diversity has changed over the last thirty years
Dawn Mellors joined the developer’s customer care team on a youth training programme in 1990, and today works as personal assistant to the company’s sales director at the Nottingham-based Barratt and David Wilson Homes North Midlands, accumulating 33 years in the industry.
Dawn (50) said: “Back in the 1990s, the industry was very male orientated. There were no females on site or in high profile roles. Today is very different and females are encouraged to join our industry.
“It’s important to have a wide variety of people in every industry, and Barratt and David Wilson Homes in particular is a diverse company where all genders and ethnicities are treated fairly with dignity and respect.
“There are great opportunities available to all in the company, with the recent enhancement of the maternity policy and menopause resources being a welcome change specifically for women in the industry.
“Career development is encouraged with training resource to support, and the company provides regular webinars to help us understand and consider those who need additional assistance.”
There are plenty of opportunities to further develop skillsets
Jess Beasley (28), who was promoted twice in 2022 and achieved her current role as the company’s marketing manager, said:“The industry is still predominantly male-dominated on site, but more females are now learning trades, and at North Midlands specifically, we’ve had female assistant site managers for years now.
“The office has more and more female leaders; we have a mix of male and female directors who run fantastic teams, as well as managers and other women who are eager to progress their careers. It’s great to see!
“Barratt and David Wilson Homes has had procedures in place for some time to support equity amongst employees. I think that they’ve been ahead of this for a while and understand that not everyone has the same situation, home life or personal attributes.
“There is also a fantastic Mental Health First Aider program with regular training and enhanced technology for the trainees to access to further support employees. Regular development reviews are also held with employees and managers to discuss one-on-one where we envision our careers going and talk about any opportunities, or issues we have.”
Esélle has noticed a shift in workplace diversity in her time at Barratt
Esélle Lane-Smith (33) joined the developer in 2015 as a cost clerk, and she now leads a team of account clerks for the developer as purchase ledger supervisor.
“In my eight years at the company, I have seen more historically male dominated roles such as quantity surveying, land managers and site management now being filled with more women with in those roles; but I hope in my career I get to see more site-based roles include even more diversity.
“With a diverse range of people working in an industry, you are able to see different perspectives from all points of view; not only from a gender perspective, but also with different ethnicities and abilities.
“In housebuilding, the benefits of diversity within the company can help employees to further understand their customers and the communities that surround our new homes too, by interacting with a wide range of people on a day-to-day basis.”
What advice would they offer to women joining the industry?
Esélle said: “Advocate for yourself and your needs. You should never feel shame for asking for what you need. You do not need to make yourself small in order to fit in and you are worthy of taking up space.”
Dawn said: “There are no boundaries to what can be achieved as long as you join with the right attitude.”
Jess added: “Be confident and don’t be afraid to push yourself – there’s a lot of great companies with fantastic people who will support you with whatever path you choose to take.”
