Balance for Better: Why lack of diversity is an issue for everyone

Having spent so many years campaigning for equality, both as trade union official and now also as Chair of the CIOB Diversity Special Interest Group, there can possibly be no greater honour than being asked to write a blog for International Womens’ Day. Over the years, the lack of understanding of what an inclusive work place means and looks like never ceases to irritate me. An organisation can have all the policies in the world but that doesn’t make things equal, in fact they often hide behind the policies as an excuse for inactivity.

What does the Northern Powerhouse mean for us?

Northerners, born and bred, by nature are invested and excited for any opportunities that arise to raise the profile of our regions.

Why my construction career is worth its weight in gold

I have worked in construction for 16 years now, since graduating from Brighton University in 2002. I’ve always worked hard, tried to go the ‘extra mile’ and I’ve always taken pride in my work. Now, as a project manager, I find myself leading construction projects and I have to pinch myself sometimes to remind myself that I’m in a great position and I’m fortunate enough to enjoy going to work. I pride myself on my professionalism and believe strongly that whatever the technical difficulties of a project, the foundation for success lies in relationships: with client, user, the community and the supply chain.

Invest in getting estimates right

Estimating is the earliest stage of involvement a contractor has on a construction project. Despite often being the shortest phase, it sets the whole scene for the rest of the project. If you get it wrong, you live with the consequences for the rest of the project, making it vital to get right first time.

Consultation on a new Code of Quality Practice

It is estimated that poor quality is costing the construction industry annually more than the combined profits of the companies in the industry. Research by Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) suggested that quality management could save the industry between £7bn and £12bn.

Behind the scenes of CMYA: My role as a judge

What I’m looking for as a judge is to be inspired. Nobody wins CMYA by being ordinary.

Maybe photography is the narrative this industry needs more of?

Taking our team forward with a Training Partnership

At Baxall, the majority of our technical directors are members of the CIOB, and have been for some time. We understand the value of being part of this professional body and how it can support us in our careers, so we were encouraged when we began noticing a trend amidst our employees’ aspirations in their appraisals to also become chartered.

Brexit provides the opportunity for a revolution in the construction industry

Many people seem to think that innovation in construction is something that happens as a matter of course. From Palaeolithic caves to living in Neolithic mud brick houses; from Greek lintels to Norman arches; and from massive stone walls to slender steel frames, improvements in design, content and material efficiencies are a signal feature of progress over time. While it appears that living conditions improve naturally as history moves forward, in reality progress requires conscious human intervention to challenge and change the old, less efficient, less imaginative way of doing things.

Return to work with support from industry

At Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure, we’ve recently opened our second Returnships programme for applications after our initial scheme, which was successfully launched in October 2017, saw over ninety applicants with a range of skills and experience apply to return to employment after a career break of 18 months or more.

Getting more from my membership

There have been two sides to my career journey to date. I have always been open and flexible in considering various career opportunities; however I have also been focused on achieving defining milestones along the way. This is demonstrated by the fact that I started as a graduate design manager for Balfour Beatty building schools in Birmingham and now find myself managing Procurement Delivery in Tarmac, the UK’s largest building materials business.