Ground breaking research aims to increase the number of women leaders in construction
Posted on 8th December 2023 at 13:02
According to the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), women make up 15% of construction industry professionals and they are paid on average 23.7% lower than their male counterparts representing the largest gender pay gap of all UK sectors. Change is slow. The percentage of women within the industry has only increased by 4% in the last ten years. But why does making a difference to the leadership gender mix matter?
In simple terms, more women contribute to a broader and larger pool of talent which helps fill the skills gaps and labour shortages left by an increasingly ageing workforce. Findings from a 2018 report by McKinsey & Company also correlated gender diversity on executive teams with enhanced profitability. In fact, the same report cites that companies with the most gender and ethnically diverse exectuive teams are 33% more likely to out perform their peers financially.
So, in such an under-represented talent pool within the industry, is there a pathway for women to the top?
Newland Partners is delighted to be collaborating with Vicky Brook of People 3 Construction Ltd and Women's Leadership Group to shine a light on this question. Vicky says, "We believe this study will be ground breaking and its outcomes are aimed to enable us to increase the number of women entering the C-suite in the Construction sector."
The study will be exploring the 'common denominators' and 'contributing factors' in career paths of women in executive roles. It is intended that the findings will inform the design and delivery of training and development within the sector to help accelerate inclusion and diversity at the boardroom table.
If you are a woman with 5 years' executive leadership experience or more in the Construction sector and would like to participate in the study, please contact Vicky at [email protected] to find out more.
Share this post: