Hall & Partners move to break male domination

Sep 14 2007 By Iain Laing, The Journal

A PROJECT management firm has helped to increase the representation of women in the male-dominated construction industry with its latest crop of staff.

Newcastle-based Hall & Partners has taken on four women in technical and management positions which it hopes will add something new to the business.

Chairman Ray Hall said: “I am really optimistic about the success of the new members of our team. The construction industry has too long been dominated by men. It will be interesting to see
how more experienced members of
the industry react to our new appointees, who have filled traditionally male roles.”

Sophie Lacey, who has been appointed to the business management team, said: “I believe that the construction industry has been living in the dark ages as far as opportunities for women are concerned. Looking at other sectors in comparison, women are hugely under-represented.”

Natalie Barber, a student from Middlesbrough, who is beginning her year-out placement at Hall & Partners as a trainee project manager along with Yolande Gaertner, said she feels daunted by the prospect of joining what appears to be a man’s world, but that she has learned that to get respect you do not have to fall into the trap of giving up your femininity in order to fit in.

Caroline Cosgrove, a recently appointed undergraduate quantity surveyor, agrees that the imbalance in the industry does stem from the impression people have of it – the best example being that there are only three girls on her course.

Mr Hall said: “I hope in the future we can help to improve the image of the construction industry ultimately not only attracting more women, but offer them excellent career progression.”