UK Construction Week Role Models 2023 - Katy Hall

UK Construction Week Role Models 2023 - Katy Hall

In this article, SC4 Carpenters Ltd Owner/Director talks more about her nomination as a UK Construction Week Role Model in 2023 and why the promotion of women, neurodiversity and equity in construction is so important.

I'm excited and proud to announce I have been shortlisted as a Role Model for the 2023 edition of UK Construction Week!

I've worked in the construction industry for over 30 years and been owner/director of SC4 Carpenters Ltd for over 20 years.

When I first started out there were very few women in construction and in fact it took me many years to understand that I was working in the construction industry. This seems unbelievable in today's climate but reflected my office-based role, little promotion of the vast range of jobs available in construction, as well as the attitude of men in the industry at the time. I truly believed that unless I was physically working on site, I wasn't in the industry!

In recent years, the opportunities for women in construction have grown enormously. And I have come to understand that not only do I work in this industry but that I have a pivotal role both in my company and as a role-model for others, particularly women and neurodivergent people, who are in, entering or considering a role in construction.

As an SME, SC4 Carpenters Ltd doesn't have the clout of the industry giants. However, I try to ensure that we take every opportunity we can to keep the dialogue open, promoting diversity in our social media and website blogs as well as via in-house training. This includes celebrating and promoting diversity equity and inclusion, mental health awareness and organisations and charities such as Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, Mates in Mind, ManGang UK, Women into Construction, BPIC Network and Building Equality, as well as ensuring our management are all mental health first aiders (MHFA) and that our directors and managers are there to offer support when our workforce need us.

I, and my fellow directors Conrad Hall and Simon Griffiths also share our personal journeys in Construction. This includes talking about the role of women and promoting the skills and abilities offered by dyslexic and neurodivergent people which can be beneficial for many construction roles including carpentry.

You can read more about this in other articles in this blog.

I am fully aware that there are perfectly justified criticism of those who talk-the-talk but don't walk-the-walk. I hope that in my small way I am managing to do both whilst also promoting the invaluable work of those who walk-the-walk every day.