How can we encourage more women into roles in the construction industry?

At Bellway we have a specific ambition to double the number of women in site-based roles, with the Women into Homebuilding initiative via the HBF being one of the main initiatives to deliver this.

In this episode, we explore this year's theme of Women in Construction week: Together We Rise. To join me, I’ve invited Cassandra Codling, Tracey Hill and John Dierikx to discuss what the industry is doing to encourage more women into construction, how women can get involved and why our guests think working in construction is a fantastic opportunity.

Cassandra is Regional Director, South East at NHBC where she oversees the delivery of services and operations in the region and works closely with housebuilders and developers to provide technical advice, improve construction quality and ensure compliance with NHBC standards, to promote ongoing excellence in housebuilding.

Tracey is the Contract and Project Manager and joined the Home Builders Federation - Skills Partnership in 2018 to oversee collaborative projects and contracts that support the home building industry. Her work focuses on upskilling the existing workforce, promoting careers, and helping new entrants into the sector.

John Dierikx is Construction Director at Bellway Homes – Scotland East. With over 25 years of experience, he leads and supports new build and delivery teams to create fabulous new build homes and communities.

Let’s start Bricking It!

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More about careers at Bellway: www.bellwaycareers.co.uk

Women into Homebuilding Programme: https://www.hbf.co.uk/home-building-skills-partnership/women-home-building/programme/

Home Builders Federation: https://www.hbf.co.uk/

House Building Careers: https://www.housebuildingcareers.org.uk/

NHBC: https://www.nhbc.co.uk/

Beyond 25 House Building Conference: https://www.nhbc.co.uk/awards-and-events/beyond

What is life really like at Bellway?

At Bellway, we’re proud of the many employee benefits we offer, and we believe they make us an employer of choice. In this episode, I’m joined by Simon Scougall and Heidi Khoshtaghaza, who are here to share more about what makes Bellway a standout place to work.

Heidi’s varied career in HR led her to joining Bellway in 2016 and she is now the Group HR Director at Bellway. Simon joined Bellway in March 2011 and has held senior positions within the Group, including that of Group Commercial Director and Group General Counsel and Company Secretary. Simon joined the Board as Chief Commercial Officer on the 1st of August 2024.

We’ll dive into the wide range of benefits we offer, from support for mental health, job development, and overall well being, to our charitable initiatives and sustainability goals. Simon and Heidi will also share their insights on what today’s workforce is looking for in a job and how Bellway is stepping up to meet and exceed those expectations.

Let’s start Bricking It!

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More about careers at Bellway: www.bellwaycareers.co.uk

At Bellway, we have always operated in a responsible and sustainable way, but we also recognise the growing importance of understanding the impact our business has.

Our strategy, ‘Better with Bellway’ embodies our approach to responsible and sustainable business practice and is a key part of our business strategy. I’m Laura Cooper, Head of Organisational Development at Bellway and in this episode, I’m joined by the Simon Park to discuss more about what we’re doing to build a more sustainable future here at Bellway.

Simon is a Chartered Environmentalist and the Head of Sustainability at Bellway’s Group Office. With over a decade of experience in sustainability roles, Simon joined Bellway in 2023 after working across various sectors, including social housing, construction, and higher education. At Bellway, he coordinates the Better with Bellway sustainability strategy, which encompasses all aspects of sustainability, from carbon management to waste reduction.

We’ll cover what the Better with Bellway strategy is and the ways in which Bellway are integrating sustainability throughout the whole company; from supply chain to construction and beyond. Simon also shares the sustainability targets Bellway are working towards and gives advice on how you can be more sustainable in your everyday life.

Let’s start Bricking It!

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More about careers at Bellway: www.bellwaycareers.co.uk

Historically the number of construction workers with disabilities is low. At Bellway, we have plans to change that. In this episode, host Laura Bell is joined by Kerry Robinson from Percy Hedley and Chris Surr from Change 100.

I’m Laura Bell, Head of Organisational Development at Bellway. In this episode, I’m joined by the Chris Surr from Leonard Cheshire’s Change 100 programme and Kerry Robinson from Percy Hedley Foundation. Both Kerry and Chris work with helping students with disabilities to take their first step into the world of work and work with businesses to assist them in making their workplace more inclusive.

We’ll be covering how Bellway are working with both of these charities, what Bellway are doing to increase diversity within the business, and how Bellway are supporting young people with disabilities to get into the construction industry. Kerry and Chris also give advice on employing people with disabilities that will be beneficial for businesses in any industry.

Let’s start Bricking It!

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Percy Hedley Foundation: https://www.percyhedley.org.uk/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=1649139343&utm_term=percy%20hedley%20foundation&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwurS3BhCGARIsADdUH52LXpLnoUIXMZM5RM2K-g_OL19FHYjumWWfUDlIuHqLIni-vhgUY68aAjfiEALw_wcB

Change 100: https://www.leonardcheshire.org/get-support/employment-support/change-100-internships/change-100-applicants?gad_source=1

More about careers at Bellway: www.bellwaycareers.co.uk

What impact does construction have on biodiversity? In this episode of Bricking it, Bellway’s podcast giving you a unique insight into the property building industry, we’re going to chat about how we can better our biodiversity within the construction industry.

Host Laura Bell, Group HR & OD Manager, is joined the Group Head of Biodiversity here at Bellway Homes, Neil Beamsley. He has worked for the company since September 2022 and oversees all activity in relation to biodiversity and ecology matters. Neil is a chartered ecologist and has more than 20 years of workplace experience, having previously worked in commercial consultancy, local government and for conservation charities.

Neil discusses his role within Bellway, and the part that Bellway plays in caring for biodiversity. He talks about what Biodiversity Net Gain means and why it’s important, as well as delving into Nutrient Neutrality and discusses the aims that Bellway has to improve this. Neil also shares information that we all need to know about how to improve biodiversity, and some simple tips and tricks that you can incorporate into your everyday life to look after the natural world.

Let’s start Bricking It!

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More about careers at Bellway: www.bellwaycareers.co.uk

What does a job in construction look like for females? In this episode of Bricking it,  Bellway’s podcast giving you a unique insight into the property building industry, we’re going to hear from three women who are passionate to get more females into the construction industry.

Host Laura Bell, Group Senior OD Manager, is joined by the Managing Director of Scotland East Division, Tracey Brady, Assistant Site Manager and Mental Health Advocate, Morgan Lindsay and Dee Smith from Women into Construction, the organisation that helps bring women into the industry.

The guests will share their experiences of being female within the construction industry, the huge variety of roles that are available to everyone at Bellway, and how we can inspire more women to join the sector.

Let’s start Bricking It!

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More about careers at Bellway: www.bellwaycareers.co.uk

More about Women into Construction: https://women-into-construction.org/

Let’s talk about mental health in the construction sector.

In this special episode of Bricking It, we discuss why people working in the construction sector might suffer from mental health problems more than the general population, and what help is available for them. Host Laura Bell, Group HR & OD Manager, is joined by Bill Hill, Chief Executive of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity.

Working at the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity since 2013, Bill’s passion for helping people has been instrumental in raising the profile of the charity and launching the Construction Industry Helpline.

On the podcast, Bill talks about why mental health issues are more prominent in this industry, and the charity’s new campaign ‘Make it Visible’. Let’s start Bricking It!

If you are affected by any of the issues in this podcast and work in the construction industry you can visit www.makeitvisible.info

You can also call their 24/7 helpline on 03456051956

The Samaritans helpline is available 24/7 for anyone to call on 116123

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More about careers at Bellway: www.bellwaycareers.co.uk

Connect with Bill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamhill/

Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity: https://www.lighthouseclub.org/aboutus/

Careers in housebuilding are varied, interesting, and full of opportunity. In this episode of Bricking It, we discuss another career path, along with giving more actionable advice to build your own. Host Laura Bell, Group HR & OD Manager, is joined by Tony Atkin, Group Production Managing Director at Bellway. From starting as a trainee in housebuilding some 27 years ago, to holding roles with a number of the big five housebuilders, Tony has progressed through his career both in the sector and at Bellway. On the podcast, Tony shares his own journey, talks about his role and the important environmental and social work Bellway are undertaking, and shares insight for how to construct your own career in housebuilding. Let’s start Bricking It! ... More about careers at Bellway: www.bellwaycareers.co.ukConnect with Tony: www.linkedin.com/in/tony-atkin-682713131/?originalSubdomain=uk‘Better with Bellway’: https://sustainability.bellwayplc.co.uk/

How can your career develop after joining Bellway as an apprentice? In this episode of Bricking It, Bellway’s podcast giving you a unique insight into the property building industry, we find out. Host Laura Bell, Group HR & OD Manager, is joined by Amy Walsh, Senior Quantity Surveyor at Bellway. Amy’s Bellway journey started with work experience, which then led her to join Bellway as an apprentice in 2017. Since then, she has progressed to become a Senior Quantity Surveyor on our Elevate leadership programme, with a senior sponsor to fast track her development. On the podcast, Amy talks about what her role involves, why she loves working in construction, and how Bellway has supported her development. She also shares some top tips to get into a role in construction, and how you can thrive as your career progresses. Let’s start Bricking It! ... More about careers at Bellway: www.bellwaycareers.co.ukConnect with Amy: www.linkedin.com/in/amy-walsh-403b99173/Contact Amy via email: [email protected]