Engineering and construction company, Mott MacDonald Bentley (MMB) with the help of North East and Yorkshire teams have hosted a successful event to celebrate women in construction.
The event at Thirsk racecourse saw an impressive turnout with 120 colleagues attending, featuring five inspiring guest speakers, a networking session, and a question-and-answer panel. Attendees included professionals from Northumbrian Water, Yorkshire Water, and Turner and Townsend.
MMB director, Phil Cundill began the event by defining diversity and discussing its importance in the workplace.
Contracts manager, Lucy Lee, joined MMB in 2024. With 15 years of experience in construction, she was the first guest speaker at the event.
“Since I was nine, I wanted to be an engineer and build a bridge, but statistics have followed me throughout my career, with only 15% of women being in construction and only 9.2% being in more senior positions”.
Pictured (L-R): Lucy Lee, MMB contracts manager, Selena Uttley and Martha Smith (SHEQ Advisors)
Selena Uttley and Martha Smith were the next guest speakers. They have recently completed their apprenticeships with MMB, working in the safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ) team. They discussed their experiences as young female professionals during their apprenticeship and how they manage their roles both onsite and in the office.
Anwen Gough, commercial manager, was the next speaker. She studied civil engineering, where only two individuals in her class were female. Her advice to women in the industry was to “grab any opportunity that comes your way, embrace it and be yourself.”
Frances Elwell, design director, was the last guest speaker of the day. She shared her inspiring 20-year journey at Mott MacDonald and her experience joining MMB in 2024.
"The key lessons I've learned in my career are to take responsibility for it, be yourself, seek learning and improvement opportunities, know your priorities, and always invest in yourself." Frances Elwell.
Pictured: Frances Elwell, MMB design director (Guest speaker)
The event also raised £700 for Smart Works Charity, which will make a meaningful contribution to supporting women in need. The funds will be split equally between their Northeast and Yorkshire offices.
Lyndsey Boagey, commercial manager, who hosted the event, stated, "We planned a day to inspire and build a community within our networks, focusing on women in the industry. It was wonderful to see so many people, both female and male, supporting the event. The speakers were fantastic, providing insights into the experiences of women in construction. The feedback has been phenomenal, and we are all still smiling from ear to ear."
The event was a great success, fostering community and support among women in construction and the business as a whole as well. The inspiring stories and insights from the speakers left a lasting impact. The positive feedback highlights the importance of such initiatives in promoting diversity and inclusion in the industry.
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