Ten years ago, London Build invited us to take part in their very first expo to discuss women’s needs in the construction industry.

What began as a small, almost hidden session (just 10 people gathered on the final day, in the final timeslot, as the facilities team were already tidying up) revealed something important: the very evident gap in women’s representation at events like this. London Build recognised the issue and, determined to change it, chose to partner with us to address it.

That first conversation was soon followed by a site visit hosted by our then treasurer, Anna Nasalska. Representatives from a Japanese construction company came to see first-hand the infrastructure her firm had created to support women transitioning from office roles to on-site positions.

The following year, momentum grew. Nearly 100 women attended the event, and as more organisations were introduced to the organisers, the word spread. Soon, many more voices were reaching out to London Build to contribute, speak, and be heard.

Looking back, we are incredibly proud of the legacy built through countless hours of volunteering our time while working full time. Our only motivation has been, and continues to be, ensuring that the built environment we all contribute to in our day jobs is shaped by a more inclusive, representative industry. We remain committed to celebrating and amplifying the contributions of women across construction.