Leading ladies

Women from across the housing and construction sectors were honoured when Northern, Southern and Midlands Housing, once again teamed up with sister title Builder & Engineer for the Women in Construction awards at the Palace Hotel in Manchester.

Over 350 people attended the event, now in its fourth year, which was sponsored by Wates Living Space, Fusion21, Thomas Vale Construction, Willmott Dixon Group, the Murphy Group and the Centre for Construction Innovation.

Women still only make up between 10 and 13 per cent of the industry’s workforce in the UK and the sector as a whole recognises that there is much more to be done before women are truly on an equal footing with their male counterparts.

But there are women working hard to make a name for themselves in the sector and the Women in Construction awards is about honouring the female talent within the industry and the companies and training providers that are supporting women and helping them to develop their skills.

The evening was once again hosted by Liz Cross, who was joined on stage by guest speakers Colette McKune and Professor Li Shirong.

McKune, director of asset management at City West Housing Trust and previous winner of the ‘Developing Women in the Industry’ award talked of her experiences within the industry in an inspiring and often hilarious speech.

Professor Li, president of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and deputy director general of Chongqing Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Commission flew in from China to share her vast experience with the guests

Professor Li was also handpicked by the judges as the winner of this year’s Lifetime Achievement award, an accolade which recognises a longstanding commitment to the construction sector and an outstanding contribution to the industry.

This year’s charity was the Construction Youth Trust and a raffle to support it raised £1,963.

The evening was rounded off with a performance from the Motown Band, which saw guests take to a packed out dance floor to boogie the night away.

The real stars of the event, however, were the winners. For those of you who were unable to attend on the night here is a full list of the leading lights in the sector:

1. Best Apprentice/New Starter of the Year under 25
Sponsored by Thomas Vale Construction and presented by Paul Dockerill, director and Bill Munn, best practice director.
Commendation – K atie Houghton, Great Places Housing Group
Commendation – Vikki Mangan, PH Jones and City West Housing Trust
Winner – Jennifer Taylor, Bolton at Home

2. Best Apprentice/New Starter of the Year over 25
Presented by David N eilson, chief executive of Fusion 21 and judge
Commendation – Sarah Hall, Great Places Housing Group
Commendation – Lynn Connolly, Connaught Partnerships
Winner – Leila Williams, W illmott Dixon Housing

3. Best Training Scheme
Sponsored by The Murphy Group and presented by Anne Marie Hughes, construction manager, J Murphy and Sons
Commendation – Dave Luck Ltd
Winner – Women and Work Sector Pathways Initiative: ConstructionSkills and The Centre for Construction Innovation

4. Most Innovative Development Programme
Sponsored by The Centre for Construction Innovation and presented by general manager Roy Stewart
Winner – City West Housing Trust

5. Breakthrough in Culture
Presented by Patrick Rafter, managing director, Excel Publishing
Winner – Sharon Ayles, Willmott Dixon Partnerships

6. Personal Achievement on Site
Presented by Michelle McKenna, editor of Northern, Midlands and Southern Housing
Commendation – Eleanor Binns, Buro Four
Winner – Helen Spencer, Great Places Housing Group

7. Developing Women in the Industry Award
Presented by Colette McKune, City West Housing Trust
Commendation – Keira Burns, Great Places Housing Group
Commendation – Breyer Group
Winner – Bramall Construction

8. Professional/Consultant of the Year
Sponsored by Willmott Dixon and presented by HR director Kate Flagg
Commendation – Rebecca Best, Rider Levett Bucknall
Winner – Kate Hall, Arup

9. Lifetime Achievement Award
Sponsored by Wates Living Space and presented by Women in Construction judge Rod Bennion and Eugenie Turton, independent nonexecutive director of Wates Group
Winner – Professor Li Shirong