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Kudos in Construction Logo

Placing the spotlight on people, not just data.

Kudos in Construction Logo

Barbour ABI are creating a monthly series documenting the best the construction industry has to offer. Not organisations, not data-led research, but the people, those people that are championing a cause or producing excellent work in a particular field of expertise.

Our Focus This Month: Women in Construction

This month Barbour ABI is voicing their appreciation to those amazing Women in Construction who are working overtime to ensure equality and diversity within the Construction sector, inspiring Women (and the wider construction community in general) to achieve success within a previously male-driven industry. We are giving kudos to those individuals who are not only driven, passionate and committed to their cause, but throughout their continued achievements are role models for the entire construction industry.

Key Features

1.

Kath Moore MBE,
Managing Director @ Women Into Construction

Bio and Background:

Kath Moore has been part of the construction industry since the age of 19 and has worked on many new-build and renovation projects. Her passion is to encourage and support women who want to work in construction, providing them with the potential to contribute to the industry going forward. She had received an MBE in 2018 for her services to the industry. Now the MD of Women Into Construction, Kath has a diverse pool of managers who are always striving to increase gender diversity within the construction sector.

Construction Kudos:

Kath began working in the construction industry at a time where the industry was considered unequal towards women and was not a women-friendly working environment. She began to work on gender imbalance in 2008 upon the Olympics Delivery Authorities decision that it wanted more women in the workforce. Within three years, she had doubled the number of women who were employed in the construction industry. Women Into Construction then became an independent non-profit organisation. Kath also lends a hand in the project management of Women Into Construction projects.

Resource Links:

https://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news/kath-moore-hackney-construction-pioneer-who-paved-way-for-women-3595708

https://www.women-into-construction.org/meet-the-team/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kath-moore-mbe-675883b5?originalSubdomain=uk

Women in Construction Logo
Qflow Logo

2.

Brittany Harris & Jade Cohen,
Co-Founders @ Qualis Flow

Bio and Background:

Britanny Harris and Jade Cohen are the co-founders of a technology start-up called Qualis Flow, (founded in April 2018), designed to help contractors and developers save their money and time to formulate a pathway for data-driven sustainability. Britanny is a Civil Engineer and Entrepreneur with a vision to create a more sustainable future for everyone in the construction industry. Britanny works as a volunteer for EcoSwell and guest lecturer at multiple organisations. Jade Cohen, also a co-founder, works with other Start-Up members so that all corporate and start-up members are connected across the built environment, driving innovation and sustainability.

Construction Kudos:

Qualis Flow delivers a vision in the construction industry to utilize required resources in the most efficient way possible whilst meeting the needs of society. The company works with all construction teams by managing their social and environmental impact to deliver a data-driven approach, with the end objective to build an automated data collection platform for construction projects and develop a comprehensive dataset to use for construction activities through utilising digital technologies to deliver it. There efforts have already helped save companies a high amount of operational costs through the elimination of onsite-environmental teams.

Stats:

Eliminating 100’s hours of work and reducing over £100,000’s worth of wasted materials whilst cutting carbon and waste from the construction process.

Resource Links:

https://qualisflow.com/about/

https://www.newcivilengineer.com/uncategorized/sme-interview-qualis-works-ends-sustainability-paper-chase-16-09-2019/

https://www.verve.vc/blog/interview-brittany-harris-qualis-flow/

3.

Alicia Nahmad,
Founder @ Architecture Extrapolated (R-Ex)

Bio and Background:

Alicia Nahmad is the Founder of Architecture Extrapolated, focusing on Human and Robot collaborative design workflows via feedback loops and generating design methodologies. As an architect, Alicia explores design through the integration of technologies and materials for the digitisation of building trades in Mexico. Her work has been published at a variety of events including UK Construction Week, TxA, IASS and London Festival of Architecture. She has also lectured in design-fabrication workshops in global institutes such as IAAC Barcelona, UNAM Mexico and KADK Copenhagen.

Construction Kudos:

Sees a future for people and robots to relate and collaborate, hence the startup she created in 2012. Working to grow and deploy robotic fabrication to make the construction industry more appealing to the younger generation who are seeking to enter the construction industry. Her startup has explored the future of housing at the intersection of architectural systems, fabrication techniques and social dynamics combined into one for more streamlined and efficient architecture installations in buildings.

Resource Links:

https://iaac.net/dt-team/alicia-nahmad/

https://alumni.ucalgary.ca/news/entrepreneur-construction-industry-teaches-students-learn-how-learn

https://r-ex.ai/alicia-nahmad/

R-EX Logo
Story Logo

4.

Emma Porter,
Managing Director @ Story Contracting

Bio and Background:

Emma Porter has worked in the construction industry for 15 years, being one of the first Cumbrian women to have studied at Europe’s leading business school, INSEAD. Emma is keen to develop a more collaborative approach to promote greater equality, diversity and sustainability within the construction industry, with strong communities and has a reputation of ‘getting things done’. Emma has also sat on a number of executive boards, is a mentor and speaker at numerous construction events nationwide. She is well-known for her reputation of industrial knowledge and delivery for the local economy. She has been announced as one of the top 100 Most Influential Women within the Engineering sector.

Construction Kudos:

Emma has led growing portfolios of multi-disciplined civil engineering, infrastructure and industrial building projects. Her second stint a Story Plant Limited has seen her promoted to role of Managing Director, overseeing a £30m turnover for the Construction team and was shortlisted for Business Leader of the Year at the Women in Construction Awards. Emma has always sought to promote meaningful change to encourage those from varying backgrounds to join the construction industry, remaining committed to Equality, Inclusivity and Diversity.

Resource Links:

https://www.thecumbrialep.co.uk/profile/emma-porter/

https://www.storycontracting.com/construction/meet-the-team/

https://www.storycontracting.com/emma-porter-recognised-as-one-of-the-100-most-influential-women-in-engineering/

https://www.storycontracting.com/storys-construction-md-joins-national-diversity-initiative/

5.

Chloe Vickery MIFSM,
Co-Founder @ Women in Fire Safety Awards

Bio and Background:

Chloe Vickery (alongside Kate Blake) co-founded the Women in Fire Safety Awards to honour outstanding achievements and contributions for all women within the fire safety community. She has a rich history in working in the Fire Services Industry and is skilled in Fire Protection, Risk Assessment and Account Management. Chloe began her journey in the fire safety industry in 2008 by offering bespoke solutions and specifications to meet legislation, standards and regulations. Chloe has a diverse background in working for fire safety contractors, distributors and manufacturers and is now a specialist in ensuring tenant fire safety for new build and existing properties.

Construction Kudos:

The Women in Fire Safety Awards honours the outstanding achievements of all women within the fire safety community, whilst encouraging further career opportunities to promote greater diversity and inclusion. Another objective is to highlight how far women have come, in the hope to inspire the next generation in the Fire Safety Industry.

Resource Links:

https://www.womeninfiresafety.com/award-categories

https://ukfiremag.mdmpublishing.com/women-in-fire-safety-awards/

https://www.womeninfiresafety.com/about-us

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-vickery-mifsm-1944975a/?trk=public_post_share-update_actor-text&originalSubdomain=uk

WIFS Logo
Turner Logo

6.

IJ Samuel,
Director @ Turner and Townsend

Bio and Background:

IJ Samuel is a Director at Turner & Townsend with over 15 years of experience as a trusted advisor to clients on multi-million pound portfolios and programmes. IJ’s has a reputation of being a strategic leader to develop and implement Project Controls strategies, Change Control processes and Programme Governance frameworks on projects such as Heathrow Airport, HS2 rail and Kuwait Oil Company. IJ as always pushed Equality, Diversity and Inclusion as a people-oriented leader, on a mission to deliver future leadership through leadership development programmes.

Construction Kudos:

IJ adopts integrated and collaborative approaches that ensure programmes are delivered in time whilst promoting world-class standards. IJ is also key to delivering strict Project Controls and Programmes within multi-billion pound Infrastructure and Construction Projects.

Resource Links:

https://www.turnerandtownsend.com/en/projects/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ijsamuel/?originalSubdomain=uk

https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/engineering/black-history-month/ij-samuel.aspx

https://www.londonbuildexpo.com/speakers/ij-samuel

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ijsamuel/?originalSubdomain=uk

7.

Maria Coulter BEM MRICS,
Founder and Managing Director @ Construction Coach

Bio and Background:

Maria Coutler has over 20 years of experience in the construction industry as a Quantity Surveyor, Project Manager and Risk Manager, launching the Construction Coach in 2014 to help micro-businesses grow themselves through coaching and training. Maria won a whole host of awards, such as the Women in Construction category at the 2016 Nottingham Post Women in Business awards and her online course for the Chartered Institute of Building on Ethics and Compliance in Construction came Highly Commended at the 2017 MemCom Awards. Maria has also held positions as Chair of the Construction Industry Council (CIC) for the East Midlands and Non-Executive Director on the Construction Industry Council national board.

Construction Kudos:

Working with small businesses to build a ‘construction revolution’ so that there is greater equality and diversity in the workplace, and adequate training is given on fairness, inclusion and respect. A drive in ensuring that communities care about sustainable policy, the use of resources efficiently and that customers continue to receive value.

Resource Links:

https://constructionmanagement.co.uk/how-to-make-your-construction-clients-fall-in-love-with-you/

https://lovesurveying.com/podcasts/73-maria-coulter-and-the-construction-revolution/

https://buildinginnovationawards.co.uk/maria-coulter/

Construction Coach Logo
Vicki

8.

Vicki Reynolds,
Chief Technology Officer @ i3PT

Bio and Background:

Vicky Reynolds is currently the Chief Technology Officer at i3PT Certification, managing technological strategies and implementations for businesses. Vicky has also held roles in information management and digital constructions. She is currently a member of digital construction communities locally and globally, helping to facilitate digital upskilling towards a sustainable environment. Vicky was a focal point in helping Multiplex transition to model first project delivery and holds the roles of global vice chair for Women in BIM, a UK BIM Alliance ambassador, co-founder of the Digital Twin Fan Club, a member of the CIOB’s special interest group for digital, and part of the IET’s built environment panel.

Construction Kudos:

Vicky has held a variety of roles across several high-profile construction projects in the UK, and her experience has seen her develop and roll out best practices as a BIM consultant in places such as Battersea Power Station Development and the Shell Tower on London’s South Bank. Vicky has held and delivered workshops and lectures on digital construction for global audiences including in India, Netherlands and Canada.

Resource Links:

https://i3pt.ie/team-member/vicki-reynolds/

https://www.londonbuildexpo.com/speakers/vicki-reynolds

https://www.linkedin.com/in/reynoldsvicki/?originalSubdomain=uk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fObtmyeKNbE

9.

Alison Cox,
Managing Director @ Sir Robert McAlpine

Bio and Background:

Alison Cox is a long-server of Sir Robert McAlpine, having completed her first summer replacement on site at Holborn Bars in 1989 when she was 17 years old. Alison rose through the ranks and has held a number of project director roles in the business. Alison has a vast amount of experience in building and motivating diverse teams, with a breadth of UK construction knowledge and a clear-sighted business leadership role at board level.

Construction Kudos:

Alison has played key roles in architect-driven projects such as Battersea Power Station. She had worked her way up through the business on successful projects such as Croydon Tramlink, Jubilee Line Extension and Bloomberg.

Resource Links:

https://www.srm.com/news-and-comment/alison-cox-joins-the-executive-board/

https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/cox-succeeds-mcfee-at-mcalpine

https://theorg.com/org/sir-robert-mcalpine/org-chart/alison-cox

https://www.building.co.uk/news/mcalpine-brings-in-new-boss-for-london/5113337.article

Sir Rober McAlpine Logo
Loughborough Logo

10.

Dr Karen Blay, PhD, FHEA,
Lecturer in Digital Construction & Quantity Surveying @ Loughborough University

Bio and Background:

Dr Karen Blay is currently a Lecturer in Digital Construction & Quantity Surveying at Loughborough University. She also has experience as a Quantity Surveyor and Project Manager and holds a BSc (First Class) degree in Building Technology and a PhD in Construction Management. Her current research interests fall under Resilience in Projects, Digitalisation & Inclusion, Blockchain and Information Resilience in Built Environment. Karen has a strong vision for companies to adapt to Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence technologies.

Construction Kudos:

Karen has made huge progress to raise the profile of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) through the discipline of engineering. She has also made great progress by assisting in making sure women are a special focus when it comes to recruiting, dropping from an overwhelming 79% against in 2005 compared to 29% in 2015. Her push towards digital ways of working helps remove invisible biases, shifting the mindset of productivity in the industry through the reduction of unconscious bias as well. Karen has also lead research to develop an information resilience framework that outlines the capabilities and requirements to ensure resilience of information through its lifecyle from creation, use, storage, reuse, preservation and destruction.

Resource Links:

https://i3pt.ie/team-member/vicki-reynolds/

https://www.londonbuildexpo.com/speakers/vicki-reynolds

https://theacademicwoman.co.uk/digital-construction-and-quantity-surveying/

https://constructionblog.autodesk.com/dr-karen-blay-loughborough-university/

11.

Summary

Project management is a key discipline for the successful delivery of construction projects according to specification, from planning through to delivery. Construction management helps to identify and mitigate potential problems that could significantly delay the project and cause budget overruns.

With careful analysis and creative thinking being two of many skills that coordinate the successful delivery of a project, successful Project Leads, Heads, Director and Managers can always deliver on time while finding budget and time-saving opportunities. This list outlines some of the most exciting and experienced project management talents in the construction industry that has overseen some of the most challenging projects to date throughout the UK.

If you liked reading this then check out our previous editions, where we highlight more amazing figures who are making major strides in construction.

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