Meet the women helping shape the homes we build

Women in Construction Week is a chance to celebrate the women who are helping shape our homes, services and communities - and to encourage more women to consider careers in construction and trade roles.

Construction is one of the UK’s biggest industries, but women remain underrepresented, particularly in front line trade roles.

At Thirteen, women are involved at every stage of the housing journey. They design new homes, manage projects on site, and support customers once they move in. Having more women in these roles isn’t just about fairness, it helps us deliver services that better reflect the people we serve.

Sharon Thomas, our chief investment and property officer, says that a diverse workforce leads to better decisions and better outcomes for customers.

“People from all walks of life bring different perspectives. Our customers are a diverse mix, and when our teams reflect that, we’re better able to deliver the right services in the best way possible.”

Careers in construction are far broader than most people realise. As well as trade and site roles, there are opportunities in planning, land, design, customer care, building safety, surveying and project management. Many of these roles offer clear progression routes, training, and the chance to make a real difference.

As Sharon puts it, “The construction industry is huge. There are so many roles and professions, and plenty of opportunities to build a long-term career.”

For Fiona Ventress, customer care team leader for new build homes, an interest in how homes look, feel and function led to a career working closely with construction teams and customers.

Fiona said, “I’ve always been interested in the aesthetics of a property, but also the mechanics,” she says. “I love understanding how a home can be practical, but also innovative.”

Her route into housing wasn’t traditional. After studying theatre stage and lighting design at university, her early experience working with site teams gave her a better understanding of how homes are built and how they support day-to-day life.

She adds that “the construction industry is so much more than being on a building site.”

Amy McCreesh, assistant development project manager, joined Thirteen in 2021 in a customer care role and later moved into project delivery on-site. She remembers how daunting her first day felt.

“I was this shy girl who didn’t dare say hello or introduce myself,” she says.

Now she manages her own schemes. She credits hands-on experience and asking questions with building her confidence.

“No day is the same as the day before,” she says. “That variety is one of the things I love most.”

Visible female role models, she adds, play a big part in encouraging more women to consider construction careers.

“I’m proud to represent the growing diversity in the industry.”

Women in Construction Week is a reminder that the sector is full of opportunities and that the skills, experiences and perspectives women bring are essential to delivering safe, high quality homes.