Allison Homes shares advice this Women in Construction Week and International Women’s Day

This Women in Construction Week (1^st to 7^th March) and International Women’s Day (8^th March), we are on a mission to inspire women to build a career in homebuilding, with an aim to diversify the construction industry.

Women in Construction (WIC) Week is a nationwide initiative that recognises the achievements of women working in the sector, and International Women’s Day (IWD) is focused on raising awareness of discrimination and advocating for gender equality. This year, the IWD theme is ‘Give to Gain’, encouraging people to give support through donations, sharing knowledge or providing training.

Georgina McCrae, Planning Director in our Central region, is attending Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce’s IWD’s event, where she will discuss the power of mentorship in male-dominated industries.

Women In Construction Week and International Women’s Day are campaigns we feel very passionate about at Allison Homes. We wanted to share advice from colleagues who have been in the industry for years, so caught up with women working across our Central, South West and East Midlands regions.

Working in all departments from Technical, to Sales and Marketing, to Land and Partnerships, we asked team members Dani, Gemma and Aimée to share their experiences of the housebuilding sector and the changes they’d like to see.

Dani Oleksow‑Bunten, Technical Co-ordinator

Dani, who works in our Central region, said: “One of the biggest challenges I’ve experienced in the industry has been walking into rooms or onto sites where I was the only woman, but now instead of focusing on whether I belong, I focus on the value I bring to the table.

“Encouraging women into construction is incredibly important. When women see other women leading projects, running companies or managing sites, it expands what feels possible. Women in construction isn’t about filling quotas, it’s about building a smarter and more resilient industry. The more diverse the voices around the table, the better the outcome is for everyone.”  

As part of her call to see more women in construction, Dani shared her advice to inspire those considering or entering the sector. She said: “Firstly, remember you absolutely belong here. You are stepping into an industry that quite literally shapes communities and futures. There will be moments where you may be the only woman in a room, but never shrink, always stand tall. Be bold, be prepared and be resilient, the industry is stronger with you in it.”

Gemma Green, Regional Marketing Manager

Gemma, from our South West region, said: “Construction is still a predominantly male industry, and that can mean having to work harder to ensure your voice is heard. I’ve learned the importance of confidence, preparation and resilience. Demonstrating consistency, results and professionalism build credibility, and backing your ideas with clear rationale makes a real difference.”

While reflecting on the importance of a diverse workforce, Gemma added: “Women bring different perspectives, strengths and experiences that can significantly enhance teams and decision-making. Encouraging more women into the sector not only improves diversity, but also drives innovation and better reflects the communities we’re building for.

“My advice is don’t be afraid to voice your thoughts and opinions, they matter and are respected more than you may think. Confidence grows with experience, but backing yourself from day one is key. Stay curious, ask questions and take every opportunity to learn. The industry is far broader than many people realise, and there are so many different pathways to explore.”

Aimée Watts, Land & Partnerships Manager

Aimée, part of our East Midlands team, said: “There are more women in senior-level, land-focused roles than when I started in the industry, with the land department evolving from a stereotypically male-dominant landscape to one that is more mixed and accessible. Overcoming the apprehension of being in a male-dominated environment and being comfortable in your own capabilities goes a long way.”

Aimée also looked to the future, speaking on why there’s such a need to create a more diverse industry. She continued: “It’s incredibly important to encourage women into construction at all levels, in all specialisms, to create a balanced, varied and ultimately successful industry. Housebuilding offers a unique variety of job roles that women can become involved in, and we should be promoting this as an exceptional opportunity.

“The best piece of advice I’ve been given is to have confidence in your own knowledge and abilities, and advocate for what you believe in. However, never turn down the opportunity to learn something new, as you never know when it will become useful in the future. Don’t be afraid to be innovative: the housebuilding industry thrives on new-thinking and new ideas.”

John Anderson, CEO of Allison Homes

John commented: “At Allison Homes, we strive to foster a diverse and collaborative workplace, where people feel supported, heard and able to openly share their views.

“Currently 35 per cent of our team are women, with six women being in Director roles and two in Head of Department roles. We are always looking for ways to inspire more women into our exciting world, including recently hiring more women apprentices, and will continue to hold ourselves to high standards as we advocate for more diversity across the construction industry.”