Last week more than 40 women from Berkeley’s site construction teams came to Royal Arsenal Riverside for our Women In Build networking event, where they helped shape and evolve our approach to equity, diversity and inclusion.
Across the development industry the vast majority of construction roles are held by men, but we are making progress in recruiting and retaining more women into these rewarding and varied careers.
Suzannah Nichol MBE, Chief Executive at Build UK, and Vanessa Murray and Ceri Moyers, both Directors of Mentoring Circle, were among the presenters who took part in the session.
The event was a chance to explore and debate how Berkeley can attract more women into build roles and create a positive and inclusive environment in which everyone feels welcome, valued and can reach their potential.
The session focussed on developing strong women’s networks and mentoring programmes across the business, and will be the first of many opportunities for female colleagues to meet and share experience and learning.
Suzannah Nichol MBE, commented: “One of the most valuable things a woman in any industry can do is build a network - reach out within your business and across the industry - find friends, supporters, mentors and champions and be all of those things too. Women develop and thrive so much better in collaborative environments and to achieve the benefits of a more diverse workforce construction needs more of us at every level.
“The Women in Build event was just the start - it’s up to each one of you to determine where it goes next.”
Reflecting upon the event, Ceri Moyers, said: “We were delighted to have the chance to present at Berkeley’s women in build event. The energy and sense of community in the room, and the content of the open discussions was hugely inspiring and constructive.
“We’re looking forward to building the partnership between Mentoring Circle and Berkeley Group and further supporting and engaging with your women in build.”
Dean Summers, Managing Director for St James St William, said: “It was great to see so many of our front-line female colleagues from the various parts of the Group. The open debate and feedback highlighted what talent we have within the team and we need to ensure we retain and develop this talent into senior roles.”
Across the development industry the vast majority of construction roles are held by men, but we are making progress in recruiting and retaining more women into these rewarding and varied careers.
Suzannah Nichol MBE, Chief Executive at Build UK, and Vanessa Murray and Ceri Moyers, both Directors of Mentoring Circle, were among the presenters who took part in the session.
The event was a chance to explore and debate how Berkeley can attract more women into build roles and create a positive and inclusive environment in which everyone feels welcome, valued and can reach their potential.
The session focussed on developing strong women’s networks and mentoring programmes across the business, and will be the first of many opportunities for female colleagues to meet and share experience and learning.
Suzannah Nichol MBE, commented: “One of the most valuable things a woman in any industry can do is build a network - reach out within your business and across the industry - find friends, supporters, mentors and champions and be all of those things too. Women develop and thrive so much better in collaborative environments and to achieve the benefits of a more diverse workforce construction needs more of us at every level.
“The Women in Build event was just the start - it’s up to each one of you to determine where it goes next.”
Reflecting upon the event, Ceri Moyers, said: “We were delighted to have the chance to present at Berkeley’s women in build event. The energy and sense of community in the room, and the content of the open discussions was hugely inspiring and constructive.
“We’re looking forward to building the partnership between Mentoring Circle and Berkeley Group and further supporting and engaging with your women in build.”
Dean Summers, Managing Director for St James St William, said: “It was great to see so many of our front-line female colleagues from the various parts of the Group. The open debate and feedback highlighted what talent we have within the team and we need to ensure we retain and develop this talent into senior roles.”