Women in Construction Informal Networking and Careers Evening

Save to calendar

---

Are you interested in pursuing a career in Construction, Building Trades, Architecture or Surveying?

Join us on International Women's Day for a FREE informal women-only networking evening to find out how our guest speakers got started.
The session will start with an introduction to our range of Industry Guests followed by a keynote address. There will then be the opportunity to chat with all of our experts and enjoy a buffet dinner.

Book your place now

Keynote Speaker: Victoria Lawson - Commercial Director at Pave Aways

Industry Guests include:

• Alice Fraser - Sustainability Lead at Forker Ltd
• Amanda Crane - Construction Careers expert
• Corinne Brown - Employer Engagement expert
• Danni Davies - Plumber
• Emily Tiling - Regional Manager CITB
• Ffion Hobbs - Carpenter
• Holly Edwards - Electrician
• Jose Jarrett - Interior Decorator
• Keeley Fox, in-House Design Manager at PaveAways Building Contractors
• Lorraine Gregory - Regional Director CECA Midlands Ltd
• Sandra Fisher - Co-Director at 2Scale Architects
• Sarah Priday - Pre-Construction Manager for SWG
• Teresa Cross - Interior Decorator
• Victoria Ward - Quantity Surveyor at PaveAways Building Contractors 

Book your place now

Please note that this is a women-only event, intended as an inclusive definition of women to welcome trans women and those that are nonbinary or identify as a woman.

Speakers

• 

  Alice Fraser

  Sustainability Lead at Forkers Ltd

  After loving geography throughout my school and college life, I studied Environmental Resource Management at University before specialising in Sustainable Development for my master’s degree. Working in hospitality during summers and completing an internship in 2nd year of university all helped me to get the job I am in today.

• 

  Amanda Crane

  Expertise - Construction Careers

• 

  Danni Davies

  expertise - Plumbing

• 

  Emily Tiling

  Regional Manager - CITB

  Emily currently works in construction skills but has previously worked for women’s projects including working with women escaping domestic violence. Therefore, encouraging more women into the construction industry is very close to her heart.

  Emily is now a senior manager at the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). However, she started her construction industry journey working for a small local building company where she encouraged the recruitment of female tradespeople to the firm. Consequently, she has first-hand experience of the value a diverse workforce, both in the office and on-site, can bring to construction. Having only come to construction in the last 13 years having previously worked in the voluntary sector since she was 21, she is also testament to the benefits of being a career changer.

• 

  Ffion Hobbs

  expertise - Carpentry

• 

  Holly Edwards

  expertise - Electrical Installation

• 

  Jose Jarrett

  expertise - Interior Decorating

  Over 25 years of experience in Painting & Decorating and Interior Design

  Jose left school at 16 and went to FE college to study Level 1 through to Level 3 advanced craft painting and decorating. She then studied a BA Hons in Interior Design and formed a design business with her sister.

  Best moment - "Starting our own business and now being able to pass on the skills I’ve developed over the years".

  Advice for young people – "Nothing worthwhile is ever easy".

• 

  Keeley Fox

  Keeley is the Design Manager for Pave Aways with over 17 years in the building trade. After finishing university and qualifying as an Architect, Keeley has worked for several practices including Baart Harries Newall based in Shrewsbury, Associated Architects in Birmingham and the global practice AHR, mainly based in Shrewsbury.

  Keeley and Pave Aways’ paths first crossed when she was an architectural consultant for the Shrewsbury Fire Station back in 2010. Keeley kept in touch and joined Pave Aways in 2018 as Design Manager. Her Architectural background means that Pave Aways could offer an in-house design service, which has been vital to the continued growth of the company.

• 

  Lorraine Gregory

  Lorraine is the Director of CECA Midlands, (Civil Engineering Contractors Association) Lorraine studied Health and Social Care at college before going onto do a degree in Education and History at University. She then started her career in Education, Skills, and Careers with a focus on education policy development and development of employability workshops in schools.

  Lorraine also trained as a youth worker and a career adviser. She worked as a recruitment adviser in the construction industry developing her role to work supporting employers with skills, funding and influencing policy. Lorraine joined CECA in 2022, where she now leads the trade association to support civil engineering businesses to gain work opportunities, support with social value commitments and deliver training.

• 

  Sandra Fisher

  Co-Director at 2Scale Architects

  After completing 2 years at art college and 3 years diploma in design I worked in the kitchen design industry in London and Shropshire designing high end kitchens. After moving to Shropshire with husband Nick (an Architect) we set up our own practice in Shrewsbury. I trained in CAD (computer aided design) for architecture and design. We now offer architectural services including design, planning applications, building regulations, feasibility studies, space planning and kitchen design for both private and commercial clients.

• 

  Teresa Cross

  expertise - Interior Decorating

  Over 25 years of experience in Painting & Decorating and Interior Design

  Jose left school at 16 and went to FE college to study Level 1 through to Level 3 advanced craft painting and decorating. She then studied a BA Hons in Interior Design and formed a design business with her sister.

  Best moment - "Starting our own business and now being able to pass on the skills I’ve developed over the years".

  Advice for young people – "Nothing worthwhile is ever easy".

• 

  Victoria Lawson

  Pave Aways - Commercial Director

  Vicky holds overall responsibility for Pave Aways Quantity Surveying and Estimating Team. She works hard to ensure that our team of buyers, estimators and surveyors act in a professional and courteous manner, to protect the Company’s financial entitlement and maintain the relationships held with clients and our supply chain.

  Vicky joined Pave Aways in 2005 as a trainee Quantity Surveyor. Since then she has progressed through the company to the position she now holds.

• 

  Victoria Ward

  Victoria graduated from the University of Portsmouth in 2012 with a BA (Hons) in architecture before travelling to Australia for a year. A career running busy restaurants in Birmingham followed until COVID-19 hit the industry in 2020.

  Looking to re-enter the construction industry, Victoria joined a groundworks subcontractor as a trainee. In June 2021, Victoria joined Pave Aways as a trainee quantity surveyor, which includes day release to study a Master’s degree (MSc Quantity Surveying), with graduation planned for September 2023.