How we champion women in construction

Women remain underrepresented in the construction sector. According to recent statistics, only 1% of “skilled tradespeople” in the industry are women, and just 16% of “senior positions in the construction industry are held by women”*. 

It’s evident we’re a long way from gender equality in the sector. So, at Hawes Construction Group, we truly believe we must do all we can to use our voice to make a change. Here’s what we do, and why it matters: 

We lead by example 

Our company director, Sarra Hawes, knows only too well the value women in leadership positions bring to the construction industry. Starting her career as a management trainee, then a site manager/engineer across South East England, Sarra balanced starting a family with part-time work in the sector and a career break before launching Hawes Construction Group alongside her husband, Bruce, in 2013.  

Sarra is passionate about using her senior position to show women what can be achieved as a leader in the industry. Heading up a busy, successful business, Sarra is a strong example of a female manager in construction and uses her position to share her experience and represent women in the sector. 

We support young women 

At Hawes Construction Group, Sarra in particular spends a great deal of time encouraging young people to enter the construction industry. From working as an enterprise advisor in a local secondary school to acting as a STEM Ambassador for the Construction Industry Training Board, Sarra uses her voice to give the next generation the knowledge and skills to achieve success in the sector. 

Within this, Sarra works hard to address the gender imbalance in construction. She speaks to many young women to inspire and inform them (and present an example of what they can achieve). Sarra tells these women and girls more about the wealth of sector opportunities out there for them, sharing the different pathways into the industry to encourage more women to consider construction as a career.  

In our quest to encourage young women into construction Hawes have recently employed a female management trainee, Molly Wild. Molly is embarking on a degree apprenticeship at the University of Brighton to ultimately become an estimator. Molly’s construction career started at the young age of 6 years old when her Dad (Hawes Construction Group’s Contracts Manager) Jason Wild had her taking off materials from drawings. 

We represent women in our sector 

Sarra knows leading by example needs to extend beyond the company itself. With that, she’s expanded her positions and presence, such as taking on the chairperson position at the Constructing Excellence Sussex Club.  

As part of her role, Sarra provides a voice for women at regular meetings, has the opportunity to visit sites of interest, and acts as a judge for the Constructing Excellence South East Awards. Learning about the principles of best practices in the sector, her position means she’s able to further advocate for the knowledge, skills, and value of women in the industry. 

Hawes are delighted to have recently increased their commercial team by employing a female surveyor Janene French. Janene is an experienced surveyor and works part time whilst juggling two young children and managing the commercial aspects of various projects for Hawes. 

We take clear actions 

Sarra is determined to use her senior sector position to work towards a stronger representation of women in all areas of the construction industry. If this is something you’re looking for support with, or would simply like to know more about, please get in touch with Sarra. She welcomes any opportunity to champion women in construction, especially young women, and is always enthusiastic about speaking to students in schools and colleges in the East Sussex area. 

For more information, get in touch as – together – we work towards greater gender equality in the construction industry.    

*Source: 14 Women in Construction Statistics in the UK: 2024 Update | House Grail